Senators concerned over NAP’s non-implementation

ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers in the Senate on Wednesday expressed grave concern over ‘non-implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP)’ and the government’s alleged lack of interest to take it to its logical conclusion.

The senators on both sides of the aisle described the Fall of Dhaka and the APS Peshawar massacre as black days in the history of Pakistan and urged for drastic steps so that these must not be repeated.

They said December 16, 1971 and December 16, 2014 could never be forgotten but lessons must be learnt from these two massive national tragedies and those responsible be exposed and punished.

The lawmakers demanded of the government to order a judicial investigation into the Peshawar school tragedy on December 16. Several senators called for making public the findings of the Hamoodur Rehman Commission report. They questioned the government as to why the demand of grieving parents of APS had not been met by holding a judicial probe.

They questioned the government’s seriousness in fighting terrorism, while hatred-spitting cleric, who openly spoke against the government, the state and the Constitution, was sitting in a big Masjid in the federal capital, an obvious reference to Maulana Abdul Aziz of Lal Masjid.

The joint opposition staged a token walkout from the House against the government’s alleged inaction with regard to ensuring complete implementation of the NAP. It was alleged the government was more interested in huge contracts, particularly those involving steel.

Some senators called for desisting from pointscoring on the massacre of Peshawar schoolchildren. The treasury and opposition senators were perturbed over the resurrection of banned outfits. Senators on the opposition benches pointed out that the 20-point NAP had been put aside for unknown reasons, which called for action against armed militias, revamping of criminal justice system, dealing sternly with banned outfits coming up with changed names, registration of religious seminaries.

Some senators wanted that the government should have ownership of the ongoing operation against terrorism instead of outsourcing it to the military, which was playing a key role in elimination of terrorists.

Earlier, the Senate unanimously adopted a resolution, expressing its deep sense of sorrow and grief over the barbaric and dastardly attack on Army Public School in Peshawar.Moved by Leader of the House Raja Muhammad Zafarul Haq, the resolution expressed deep sense of appreciation and support that in the aftermath of the attack, valiant armed forces launched military action against terrorism.

It noted the military operation in the form of Zarb-e-Azb resulted in elimination of large number of terrorists and their hideouts. The Senate expressed great satisfaction and pride at the national unity that has been demonstrated by the people of Pakistan and the resolve to combat and destroy all forms of terrorism.

It recommended the government to declare December 16 as Pakistan’s Children Day and that prayers be offered on that day every year in memory of martyrs and security and prosperity of Pakistan.

Winding up the debate, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmad said the attack on APS was the most tragic incident in the history of the country as victims were innocent children who were not capable of defending themselves.

He said the incident led to a national consensus to eliminate terrorism from every nook and corner of the country. He said the prime minister took on board all political leaders and other stakeholders and a successful campaign was underway against terrorism.

The minister asserted the nation would defend the country at all costs.However, he did not respond to the concerns shown by a number of senators over non-implementation of the National Action Plan, barring two or three points.

The minister said that the terrorists had repeated the barbaric acts of Yazeed at the APS. “Had Hazrat Imam Hussain given in to Yazeed’s demand, there might have been  a different scenario today. The terrorists repeated the history of Karbala in Peshawar,” he noted.       

Others who spoke included Leader of Opposition Aitzaz Ahsan, Ilyas Bilour of ANP, Abdul Qayyum of PML-N, Tahir Mashhadi of MQM, Usman Kakar of PkMAP, Nauman Wazir of PTI, Dr. Jehanzeb Jamaldini of BNP-M, Mir Hasil Bizenjo of the National Party, Hamdullah of JUI-F, Ch. Tanvir Khan of PML-N, Azam Khan Swati of PTI, Dr. Ghaus Muhammad Niazi of PML-N, PML-N’s Nehal Hashmi, Mir Kabir Ahmad of the National Party, Sitara Ayaz of ANP, Sehar Kamran of PPP, Kalsoom Parveen of PML-N, Sherry Rehman of PPP, Salahuddin Tirmizi of PML-N, Sassui Palejo of PPP, Saleem Zia and Nisar Muhammad of PML-N, Saeed Ghani of PPP, Rubina Irfan of PML-Q and Sirajul Haq of Jamaat-e-Islami.