PPP seeks Senate proceedings’ adjournment to discuss Parachinar

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has sought Senate proceedings adjournment to discuss the militants attack in Parachinar on the eve of Eid resulting dozens of deaths and the gross mishandling of the post-mayhem situation by the security agencies by firing at the citizens protesting against the state inability to provide them security.

Addressing the protest camp in front of the National Press Club in Islamabad Thursday as a mark of solidarity with the people of Parachinar, Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP)  Secretaray General Senator Farhatullah Babar demanded judicial probe and compensation to the victims' families equal to that given to victims of oil tanker tragedy in Bahawalpur.

 He also demanded that the local Kurram Militia be allowed to play its role in restoring peace under the supervision of the security agencies as it has been doing in past and that the prime minister visit Parachinar immediately to assuage hurt feelings of the people.

“An adjournment motion had already been submitted in the Senate to discuss the tragic incident,” he said.

Referring to the disparity in compensation to the victims of oil tanker tragedy and Parachinar victims, he said: "The rulers must not allow the perception that a body in Punjab fetched two million, in Sindh one million, in Balochistan half million and in Fata and tribal areas, it fetched only three lacs rupees. Such a perception will be disastrous of the federation.”

Senator Farhatullah Babar said that because of its location and past history, Parachinar was already over militarised. It is known to have one of the largest concentrations of security check posts and CCTV cameras with security personnel patrolling menacingly. “Yet Parachinar had witnessed repeated militant attacks in the past few months and there was no clue of where from the militants came and where did they go, he said and added we must probe into the repeated massive security lapses instead of accusing the local people.  He said the area has been made a no go area for the media, the parliamentarians and human rights activists. “This needs to be changed so that misconceptions are not allowed to gain strength,” he said.