ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly witnessed heated debates on Friday as the Balochistan issue took center stage, with PTI parliamentary leader Zartaj Gul launching a scathing critique of the government’s approach to terrorism and the worsening security situation in the province.
During discussions on the presidential address and Balochistan, Gul expressed profound grief over the recent Jaffar Express terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of numerous passengers and security personnel. She criticized the government for its failure to curb terrorism despite the interior ministry being staffed with multiple ministers.
“When the routine agenda was postponed yesterday, we expected the government to prioritize this critical issue. Instead, they resorted to personal attacks rather than addressing the crisis in Balochistan,” she stated.
Gul accused Defense Minister Khawaja Asif of using the assembly platform to target PTI instead of focusing on Balochistan’s challenges. “The defense minister, who lost to Rehana Dar, continues to hold his position,” she remarked, adding that his frequent moral lectures, often punctuated with the phrase *“Koi sharam, koi haya hoti hai”* (Have you no shame or decency?), were more applicable to himself.
Her comments followed a chaotic session the previous day, during which the opposition was denied the opportunity to discuss the Jaffar Express attack. PTI had demanded the suspension of the Question Hour to debate the incident, a motion that was eventually approved on Friday.
PPP lawmaker Syed Naveed Qamar noted that it had been agreed to hold the Question Hour alongside the debate on the presidential address. However, NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq ruled to postpone the Question Hour for the day.
Gul further alleged that 10,000 Pakistanis had been deported from the UAE in just 16 months, while government ministers were reportedly seeking bribes in the form of luxury flats in Burj Khalifa. “Instead of blaming PTI for every issue, the government should demonstrate its own performance,” she asserted.
She also criticized President Asif Ali Zardari’s address, calling the coerced 26th Amendment a stark example of undemocratic practices. “Why did the president remain silent on the November 26 massacre?” she questioned, referencing the government’s crackdown on PTI’s protest rally last year.
Gul condemned the government’s neglect of smaller provinces, asking, “How many times has the presidency opened its doors to Balochistan?” She accused the president of exploiting Sindh’s water issues for political gain while ignoring injustices in other regions.
Referring to imprisoned PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, Gul stated, “They tell us not to mention Prisoner No. 804, but he won the election and remains the only leader capable of uniting the four provinces.” She highlighted Khan’s resilience, noting that even after being shot, he declared, “This country is mine, and the army is mine.”
JUI-F lawmaker Usman Badin also condemned the assembly’s disorderly conduct, stating, “Yesterday, 70-year-old lawmakers were hurling insults instead of discussing Balochistan.” He painted a grim picture of the province’s long-standing deprivation, questioning why educated youth were increasingly turning to militancy and suicide bombings.
“Baloch youth once carried guns; today, they are strapping bombs to their bodies. Who pushed them to this point?” he asked, urging the assembly to devise a permanent solution to Balochistan’s crisis.
PML-N lawmaker Sheikh Aftab expressed concern over the resurgence of terrorism, emphasizing that Pakistan’s armed forces were making daily sacrifices. “Nawaz Sharif convened an All Parties Conference (APC) to combat terrorism. It’s time for all political leaders to unite and find a lasting solution,” he urged. He warned that unemployment could drive young people toward militant groups.
PPP lawmaker Sehar Kamran echoed these concerns, calling for a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy similar to the one implemented after the APS attack. She stressed the importance of education in combating extremism, particularly advocating for increased female literacy.
The National Assembly session was adjourned until Monday at 2 pm.
