NA condemns Quetta church attack: Demands increase in security of churches

ISLAMABAD: The members from the opposition parties on Monday provided an opportunity to the House to condemn terror attack on a church in Quetta on Sunday before staging walkout from the National Assembly (NA) proceedings on issue of Fata reforms.

At the outset of proceedings on Monday, the Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq requested the opposition members to defer their protest so that the House could condemn attack on a church in Quetta which resulted in killing of nine worshippers leaving over 50 injured during service on Sunday. The House also observed one minute silence to express grief over killing of nine worshippers inside the church including three women.

The minority members including Aasiya Nasir, Sanjay Perwani, Khalil George, Dr Ramesh Kumar, Abdus Sattar Bhachani and Nasima Panazai strongly condemned the terror attack and demanded increase in security of churches particularly during the month of December when the Christian community is preparing to celebrate the Christmas.

The minority members demanded increase in compensation for those killed in the attack to Rs5 million and to Rs1 million for those who were injured. They also called upon the government to make changes in its laws to issue licences of weapons to the minorities so that they could defend themselves in case of terror attack. Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf also strongly condemned the incident which he said was an attempt to blot image of the country. He told the House that the victims would be properly compensated while proper treatment was also being provided to the injured people. He also said that the security of churches would be enhanced. As debate ended, the PPP member Abdus Sattar Bhachani pointed out lack of quorum in the House leading to suspension of proceedings for about 30 minutes. The House was found in order on resumption and it completed almost whole the agenda.

Another PPP member Shagufta Jumani again raised issue of quorum and on counting only one member was short when the Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi adjourned proceedings till Tuesday evening. The National Assembly in the meantime, managed to execute legislation passing two bills including the National Skills University Islamabad Bill, 2017 and the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (Amendment) Bill, 2017. The National Skills University Islamabad Bill, 2017 introduced by the Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Balighur Rehman would provide for upgradation of National Institute of Science to address the shortage of skilled human resources at all levels.

The Private Power and Infrastructure Board Bill, 2017 would provide for merger of Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) into Pakistan Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB).