ISLAMABAD - Giving a call for greater national unity, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday said his government was committed to eradicating terrorism.
The PM, who showed up after a long absence from the assembly because of his health issues, also led some of his ministers to the opposition lobby to woo the annoyed members.
The lawmakers from PPP, PTI and JI walked out of the assembly in protest against remarks of Interior Minister Ch Nisar about previous government.
“The entire nation is united in the war on terrorism. We will not take rest till the elimination of terrorism from our homeland,” the PM said, referring to the Quetta carnage.
More than five dozen people were killed and over 100 injured after a suicide bomber struck the emergency ward of Quetta’s Civil Hospital two days ago.
Nawaz said the government was committed to ensuring a prosperous and stable Pakistan which was also a vision of the Quaid-e-Azam and all political parties.
Expressing deep grief over the tragedy, Nawaz said such cowardly attacks could not shatter the strong resolve of the nation. “This tragic incident has left the whole nation in sorrow and pain. But we stand firm against terrorism,” he said.
He, also sought to negate the perception of divisions among country’s military and political leadership, saying they were on the same page.
The PM, in his written speech, praised the national security institutions, saying: “They were securing the borders and protecting the people from enemies and terrorists inside.”
He said the mindset behind the Quetta attack was the same one that had targeted Pakistanis in numerous terrorist attacks in the past.
“This same ideology targeted Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, Ismaili community of Safoora Ghoth, Hazara community of Balochistan, a church and the Army Public School (APS) of Peshawar; and other prominent people of the country,” he added.
He said they (the security institutions) would defeat that mindset with strength with determination and courage.
That mindset did not assimilate the progress and prosperity of the country and the mega development projects like the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he added. Pakistan today is more secure and stable compared with the yester years, he added.
The sporadic attacks by on-the-run terrorists have infused new vigour and added determination in the national resolve to root out terrorism. He added that the Operation Zarb-i-Azb is a unanimous national agenda that will be completed at all costs.
This praise of security agencies came just a day after PkMAP chief Mahmood Achakzai’s bashing the intelligence agencies and his terming the Quetta attack an intelligence failure.
Addressing the house on Tuesday, Achakzai demanded fixing the responsibility of the blast and asked the prime minister to sack officers if they fail to trace out elements involved in the deadly attack.
The prime minister in his address also spoke about Kashmir, saying that Pakistan raised voice at the international fora against the Indian atrocities in the held Valley.
‘Remarks against agencies unacceptable’
Shortly after the premier’s address, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan took to the floor to enlighten the house on some key issues discussed in high-level huddles after the Quetta attack.
The minister said while most political parties were against the introduction of harsh laws, stricter laws were needed to reign in those “who do not ascribe to any religion or law”.
“Is it not my duty as a Pakistani to stand with our armed forces?” questioned Nisar, adding that giving such a statements at a critical juncture was “unacceptable”.
“Instead of criticising Pakistani security agencies, RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) and NDS (National Directorate of Security) should be condemned”.
Nisar said the efforts of armed forces, intelligence agencies, civil armed forces police to minimise the terrorists attack.
The minister said: “Law and order situation has improved owing to unity of the nation and unity between the political and military leadership.”
He assured the the house of taking it into confidence after completion of ongoing security moot. He shared with the house that there were up to six terror incidents daily in 2009-10. In a sarcastic tone, he lauded former president Asif Ali Zardari “for establishing military courts”. “I think for the first time I am appreciating him (Zardari),” he said.
He strongly condemned the statement of Achakzai. “I condemn his statement. Such statements are tantamount to demoralising intelligence forces, which have rendered many sacrifices.”
‘We don’t need any certificate of patriotism’
Opposition leader Khrusheed Shah, who took the floor thrice, said opposition parties avoided point-scoring in their speeches.
“We don’t need any certificate of patriotism and Asif Ali Zardari does not need your (Ch Nisar’s ) award,” he said, adding that government should also question from its allied partners for making such statements.
He demanded the government summon the military leadership to the Parliament and brief the house about the current security situation.
Shah also asked for the heads of intelligence and security agencies to be present for the briefing.
Later, the government failed to move controversial cybercrime bill. Opposition parties after strong criticism pointed out quorum and the speaker adjourned the house. Opposition’s Naveed Qamar, Nafeesa Shah, Ali Raza Abidi and others criticised the clauses of bill and termed it a draconian law. Earlier, the house also passed a resolution to commemorate 69th anniversary of the Assembly.