ISLAMABAD - The National Assembly on Monday passed a unanimous resolution condemning inhumane terrorist attack on a church in Peshawar on Sunday, expressing solidarity with the Christian community, sympathies with the bereaved families and prayers for the early recovery of the injured.
“This House in a strongest possible terms condemns the heinous, brutal and inhumane terrorist attack on a church, in which more than 81 precious lives, including children and women, have been lost and another over 150 persons received injuries, which is an attack not only against the Christian community but also against Pakistanis,” says a unanimously passed resolution.
The resolution moved by PML-N MNA Zahid Hamid demands that the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) governments should take all necessary measures to safeguard the rights of non-Muslims as laid down in the Holy Quran and Sunnah and provided in the Constitution of Pakistan. It also says that all possible facilities should be provided to the injured and security must be provided to worship places of all non-Muslims, besides taking steps to bring the perpetrators of this incident to justice.
The legislators from both sides of the aisle, suspending the agenda, decided to continue discussion on the heinous attack on the church, which will also continue today (Tuesday). The House also observed one-minute silence in respect of the persons who were killed and injured in the incident.
Initiating the debate, Interior Minister Ch Nisar Ali Khan informed that the federal government was planning to constitute a committee on federal level to ensure security of all worship places. Nisar, who asked the lawmakers to give a message of unity on this sad incident, cast doubts on a group which has so far accepted the responsibly of the attack. He expressed hope to nab perpetrators of this attack.
The federal government, he said, has offered the KPK government to bear the cost of reconstructing the religious site as per the will and wish of the Christian community. The government has also announced three-day mourning on this sad incident, he added.
Nisar further stressed that they need to think above the political affiliation now and give a message of unity. “The perpetrators of this attack cannot be said human beings. Killing one human being is like the killing of the entire humanity,” he said, adding that all political parties should be united against terrorism.
He said two suicide bombers blew themselves at the church gate and courtyard. “The situation is heart wrenching but the citizens observed patience and proved that they are a nation fighting terrorism with bravery and courage,” he added.
“Routine condemnation would not serve the real purpose but we not only condemn it but also make all-out efforts to nab the perpetrators behind this attack,” he added. He also praised Christian leaders for not only observing patience but also asking the families to be patient in a doomsday like situation.
Taking the floor, Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah assured full support of Opposition to the government for every act against terrorists. “This is a moment to take decision. Opposition will fully support if you take step to follow the perpetrators,” he said, adding that all the parties were ready to give mandate to the government.
Shah said that they will have to make all-out efforts to make the country strong. He said there is no need to see whose government is in place as Pakistan comes first, adding that it is national tragedy.
On his turn, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) lawmaker Shah Mehmood Qureshi said they all should be united at this juncture. “We have to adopt way of peace which never mean to capitulate,” he said, adding that it was not time for finger pointing. He further said that there was need to isolate irreconcilable elements from those who want peace.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Khalid Maqbol, in his maiden speech in NA, said that it was not attack on Christian community but on Pakistan. “There is need to ascertain with whom we are going to talk,” he said. Taking part in debate, Former PM Zafarullah Khan Jamali the idea of Mehmood Achakzai to prorogue the National Assembly session. “How many times sessions were adjourned or prorogued when incidents happened in Balochistan,” he said. He further said that they should speak truth with the nation. He condemned the big tragedy occurred in a Peshawar church.
Earlier, senior MNA Mehmood Achakzai proposed that the house should be prorogued in respect of the incident. He said that they have lost the right way. About Ideology of Pakistan, he said it was based on the speech of Quaid-e-Azam and 1940 Pak resolution. No serious efforts have been made to make Pakistan a country as envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he added.
JUI-F lawmaker Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani said after All Parties Conference no progress has been made for dialogue. On his turn, Jmaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Sahibzada Tariqullah stressed the need to foster process of talks so that it could be ascertained who are not in favour of dialogue process. He strongly condemned the incident.
Earlier, ANP’s lawmaker Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said that KPK government could not provide security to the Christian community. “It was much appalling and sad incident,” he added.
Though the House did not take any other agenda items, in question hour it was informed that as many as 80 government servants of 45 ministries/divisions possess dual nationality.