MNAs seek probe into Kargil debacle

ISLAMABAD- President Pervez Musharraf came under fire in the National Assembly on Tuesday both for Kargil debacle and the killing of innocent people in Bajaur Agency and other parts of the Tribal Areas in the recent missile strikes allegedly carried out by NATO. Parliamentarians demanded thorough probe into the Kargil debacle and asked for setting up a committee to look into the matter. Similarly, on the killing of innocent people in Tribal Areas during the military operation, a number of MNAs had voiced their opposition and lashed out at President Musharraf for serving the interests of the United States instead of standing by his own people. Speaking on Point of Order, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, MNA, told the Lower House of the Parliament that former Corps Commander Rawalpindi Lt Gen (Retd) Jamshed Gulzar Kiyani disclosed in a television interview that Mian Nawaz Sharif was kept in dark about Kargil operation. He said that the then Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif was not briefed about the Kargil issue and the then army authorities were responsible for this debacle. Sardar Sadiq demanded that a committee to be headed by a judge should be constituted to probe into the issue that had harmed the dignity of the nation. He quoted Kiyani saying that then Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif had nothing to do with the Kargil tragedy. Sardar Sadiq also demanded that committee should be formed to probe the matter and those responsible should be held accountable, adding that an adjournment motion would also be moved in this regard. Later, taking part in the debate on the killing of innocent people in the Bajour Agency air attack, Taj Muhammad Jamali of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) alleged that Nato aircrafts' bombarded Bajaur Agency killing many innocent people and held President Musharraf responsible for the act. He also blamed the President for overall law and order situation in the country with particular reference to North and South Wazirustan and other Tribal Areas. "The name of Musharraf must be put on the Exist Control List (ECL). He is an agent of America and toeing its policy. As many as 1100 innocent Balochs have been detained ," he said. Sahbzada Fzal Kreem of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) said that NATO forces violated airspace of Pakistan, adding that Foreign Ministry should summon US ambassador to record protest against bombardment in the territory of the country. "The conspiracies aiming to divide Pakistan can be thwarted if Gen (Retd) Musharraf is detained. The peace can be established if the judiciary is restored through a resolution in the National Assembly," he claimed. Zafar Baig Bhatai said that four sons of MNA Nooral Haq were gunned down but the government did not utter single word of condemnation. "The government should ensure good governance and it should not run it as mafia," he claimed. Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman of JUI-F said that the US is occupying the Muslim countries in the name of so-called terrorism. The main purpose of America is not to counter terrorism; rather it is promoting it to provoke Nato forces to enter the Muslim countries, he alleged. Engineer Shaukat Ali said that the Nato forces are killing the innocent children. He proposed the House to form a committee for compensation of affected people of these incidents. Chaudhry Berjeez Tahir said that General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf had taken U-turn on one telephone call of Collin Powel. He alleged that President Musharraf is responsible for these incidents. "Musharraf is also responsible for the Lal Masjid operation. He destroyed the institutions of the country," he alleged. Kamran Khan said that the government should take notice of the violation of airspace by the Nato forces, adding that tribal people are protecting 1400 Km boundary line of the country. Manir Orakzai said that at least 20 people have been killed as a result of bombing by Nato forces. He said that violation of airspace of Pakistan has become a routine matter, and asked the government to take note of it. Earlier, Parliamentarians demanded that the incident of Kargil issue should be probed. They also demanded that a committee should be established to look into the matter. Kashmala Tariq of PML-Q raised the issue of Local Government System and supported it, saying that Local Government System should not be changed, to which the treasury members said 'no' in unison. Mahrin Anwar Raja of the PPP said that the system of Local Government is not acceptable. She said that if investigation was conducted, all Nazims would go to jail.                            Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza also deferred as many as seven bills on the private member day because the concerned members were not present in the House.     Meanwhile, on a calling attention notice Minister for Culture  Sherry Rehman told the National Assembly that government was taking all possible steps to save historical remains of Mohenjo Daro from water logging and salinity. The Calling Attention Notice was moved by Faryal Talpur, Mir Munawwar Ali Talpur, Nafisa Shah and Rubina Saadat Qaimkhani who invited attention of the minister towards destruction of Mohenjo Daro civilization. She told the House that after taking charge of the ministry she called an emergent consultative meeting of the UNESCO and other foreign experts on June 6 to devise ways to preserve these historical Indus civilization remains. Sherry Rehman said that Mohenjo Daro was an issue of national as well as international importance. During the past 26 years 27 tubewells were dug to lower the water table but the desired results could not be achieved, she added. Finally these tubewells were closed as a UNESCO committee came to the conclusion that the scheme had not only failed but had damaged the structures as well. She said as the remains were built with loose brick and mortar, it was difficult to save them from water logging. She said the plan was under consideration to drain the water to the river to lower the water table in the area. On a Ponit of Order Marvi Memon said the kerosene oil is being sold at higher rate than prescribed by the government. She said the prescribed rate of the kerosene oil is Rs 41 while due to the shortage, it is being sold at Rs 68 in the local market. Hamid Saeed Kazmi urged the government to maintain law and order situation and ensure the safety of a common man. Nawab Abdul Ghani, MNA, told the House that two of three power units in Sindh are still out of order. He said if these are restored, the load shedding would remarkably be curtailed in the province. Jamshed Ahmed Dasti commented on the slow pace of construction work of Chenab Bridge where, he said, a mammoth traffic blockade is witnessed. He demanded that either the work should be completed soon or the contractor be removed and punished. Mohammed Ali Khan criticized the growing inflation of gas and power prices in Karachi and added that the increase in prices should equally be implemented across the country. Plawasha told the House that about 315 employees of Dandot Cement have been fired without prior notice. She said the police are harassing the sacked employees, adding that the matter should be resolved at earliest. Kashmala Tariq said the government should take effective steps to strengthen local government system. She said the local government system had shown positive effects in the execution of development projects and devolution of power. Nawab Sher Waseer, MNA, criticised the slow pace of construction work of a bridge in Syed Pura. Due to this delay in the construction work, he said, the local population is suffering a lot. Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Farooq H. Naek said that the amendment in police rules is the subject of Interior Ministry, adding that the ministry can proceed if the concerned province sends recommendation in this regard. 

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