ISLAMABAD - The National Assembly on Monday strongly condemned the killing of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) leader Dr Khalid Soomro, asking the intelligence agencies to unearth the real culprits who are hatching conspiracy against the religious scholars of the country.
The house with the thin presence of legislators unanimously passed a resolution to condemn the assassination of a former Senator Dr Soomro, besides considering it a conspiracy to assassinate religious personalities of the country.
“Attack on Dr Khalid Soomro is conspiracy against the efforts of JUI-F for peace. This is attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty and peace, which is matter of a grave concern for the government,” says a unanimously passed resolution, demanding both centre and province governments to trace out culprits behind this heinous crime.
PkMAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, on a point of order, asked the country’s intelligence agencies to unearth the mad people involved in assassinations of political figures of the country.
“This is a wrong attitude and we are running short of time. Proper action is needed before it is too late,” he said, warning that armed forces and people would stand against each other if the situation was not handled.
 “It is responsibility of agencies to unearth these people as if they cannot trace out such elements, the country is gone,” he remarked.
Another senior member of treasury benches, Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch said that both provincial and federal governments should make efforts to trace out culprits behind the assassination of a religious scholar.
 “This attack is tantamount to attack on the people who are in favour of democracy,” he added.
Awami National Party’s Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, on his turn, also criticised intelligence agencies for not taking prompt action.
 “There is a need to ascertain who are killing Ulema,” he remarked. PPP’s lawmaker Iyaz Soomro, on a point of order, termed it a conspiracy against Sindh. “We need to resolve this matter jointly with the cooperation of centre and Sindh,” he added.
Another PPP’s lawmaker Yousaf Talpur viewed that that killing of Dr Soomro and some Sindhi nationalists is tantamount to lead the people of province to follow the footsteps of people of Balochistan.
A JUI-F lawmaker Naeema Kishwar strongly condemned the killing of the leader.
She was of the view that leaders of JUI-F are being targeted.
Kishwar also came down hard on CM KP Pervez Khattack for using derogatory language against JUI-F workers the other day (30 Nov), when he got late due to protest of JUI-F. “What was wrong in it if he had reached late to attend PTI’s musical function,” he asked.
About Imran Khan’s threat to block the country, she said PTI’s chief was making tall claims but he could not tolerate the protest of a political party. “JUI-F would go for wheel-jam strike on Friday against the murder of party leader,” she said, adding the government should investigate this sad incident.
PML-N’s Capt (Retd) Safdar, on his turn, said that the insult and humiliation of religious scholars would not be acceptable at any cost.
He also criticised CM KP for using derogatory language against religious scholars.
MQM’s Rashid Godil, adding his share, said that there was need of pure investigation to trace out this heinous crime.
 “We need to change our attitudes...It should not be termed as provincial matter,” he added.
PML (Z) chief Aijazul Haq was of the view that there was a need to control sectarianism.
 “No body will be able to control it if the menace of sectarianism spread in the country,” he added.
Other lawmakers from opposition and treasury benches also condemned the killing of Dr Soomro.
They said that intelligence agencies should play their role and trace the criminals and conspiracy behind this heinous crime.