ISLAMABAD:
With the Balochistan issue dominating discussions in the National Assembly, the lower house on Friday saw fiery exchanges as PTI parliamentary leader Zartaj Gul tore into the government over its handling of terrorism and the deteriorating security situation in the province.
During a debate on the presidential address and Balochistan, Gul expressed deep sorrow over the Jaffar Express terror attack, which claimed the lives of several passengers and security personnel.
She lamented that while the operation against the attackers was successful, terrorism continued to spiral out of control despite the interior ministry being crowded with half a dozen ministers.
“When the routine agenda was postponed yesterday, we expected ministers to take the issue seriously. But instead of discussing Balochistan, they engaged in personal attacks,” she said.
Zartaj Gul accused Defence Minister Khawaja Asif of using the floor to target PTI rather than addressing the crisis in Balochistan. “The defence minister, who lost to Rehana Dar, still holds his position.”
The PTI leader noted that the defence minister often lectures others on morality and shame with the phrase “Koi sharam, koi haya hoti hai” – a slogan popularised by the PML-N leader – but said that it applied more aptly to him.
Zartaj Gul’s strong remarks came a day after the NA descended into chaos after the opposition was denied the opportunity to discuss the deadly attack on the Jaffer Express. The PTI had demanded the suspension of the Question Hour to debate the tragic incident.
However, on Friday, the NA finally gave way, approving a motion to defer the Question Hour for the day.
PPP lawmaker Syed Naveed Qamar pointed out that it had been agreed to hold the Question Hour alongside the debate on the presidential address. Nevertheless, NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq ruled that the session would proceed with the Question Hour postponed.
Speaking on the floor on Friday, Zartaj Gul further alleged that 10,000 Pakistanis were deported from the UAE in just 16 months, while ministers were asking for flats in Burj Khalifa as bribes. “Instead of blaming PTI for everything, the government should show its own performance,” she asserted.
Denouncing President Asif Ali Zardari’s address, she said the coerced 26th Amendment was a glaring example of undemocratic practices. “Why did the president remain silent on the massacre of November 26?” she questioned, referring to the government’s crackdown on PTI’s protest rally last year.
Slamming the government’s treatment of smaller provinces, she asked, “How many times has the presidency opened its doors to Balochistan?”
She accused the president of exploiting Sindh’s water issues for votes while ignoring injustices in other provinces.
Referring to incarcerated PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, Gul said, “They tell us not to mention Prisoner No. 804, but he won the election and is the only leader who can unite the four provinces”.
She added that despite being shot, Imran still declared, “This country is mine, and the army is mine”.
Meanwhile, JUI-F lawmaker Usman Badin also condemned the “juvenile behaviour” of the assembly. “Yesterday, 70-year-old lawmakers were hurling insults instead of discussing Balochistan.”
He painted a grim picture of the province’s decades-long deprivation, questioning why educated youth were now turning to militancy and suicide bombings.
“Baloch youth once carried guns; today, they are strapping bombs to their bodies. Ask yourselves: who forced them into this?” he said, urging the house to decide once and for all how to address Balochistan’s crisis.
PML-N lawmaker Sheikh Aftab lamented the resurgence of terrorism, warning that Pakistan’s armed forces were making daily sacrifices.
“Nawaz Sharif convened an All Parties Conference (APC) to combat terrorism. The time has come for all political leaders to sit together and find a lasting solution,” he urged.
“If our children don’t get jobs, they will be forced to join militant groups.”
PPP lawmaker Sehar Kamran echoed concerns over rising terrorism, calling for a counterterrorism strategy similar to the one formed after the APS attack.
She stressed that education was imperative to combat extremism, stressing the need to increase female literacy in particular.
The National Assembly session was adjourned until Monday at 2 pm.
