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Senate pass anti-terrorism bill, opp walks out over KP lawlessness
By Ijaz Kakakhel
ISLAMABAD: The Senate passed an anti-terrorism bill on Wednesday while the opposition legislators staged a walkout against poor law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and claimed that the PTI-led provincial government has totally failed to protect people’s lives and properties.
They also asked the federal government to take action against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. The Senate, for the first time, passed five government-related bills unanimously. They were mainly related to terrorism and tightening law, which will help the government deal with terrorists and give them punishments. On a point of order, ANP’s Senator Haji Mohammad Adeel informed the House that today (Wednesday) in Peshawar, an Edhi Foundation Camp, which worked for the welfare of general public was attacked, traders were targeted, extortion chits were issued to businesspersons, and private schools were closed before summer vocation due to receiving threaten letters.
He asked the federal government to take appropriate action against terrorists, saying they quickly run away to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas after conducting terrorist attacks in Peshawar. “Such unfortunate incidents in Peshawar and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have become a routine matter,” he observed. Adeel also claimed that the federal government has also failed to have successful dialogues with the terrorists or take full action against them.
All the opposition members walked out of the House against the poor law and order situation in KP and alleged inaction of the federal government over it. The combined opposition parties, including the MQM, participated in the walkout. JUI-F’s Senator Haji Ghulam Ali held responsible PTI government for lawlessness in KP, who also failed to utilize developmental budget of the province. Earlier, PPP leader Mian Raza Rabbani termed the federal budget as crony budget, which only protect big landlords, capitalists while there was nothing for poor people. He regretted that the price hike broke the back of poor people and today when teachers and clerks came out in Islamabad for raising their voice, the administration carried out beaten charge and air firing. The only sin of these protestors is that they totally rejected only 10% increase in their salaries.
The Senate today passed five government amendments bills and they termed it historic day. After passage of the bills, leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq said some people said that the Senate could not perform properly but today historic day shows that it can. The bills are; The Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2014 as reported by the Standing Committee, The Anti-Terrorism (Second Amendment) Bill 2014, The Legal Practitioners and Bar Council (Amendment) Bill, The Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill 2014, and The Service Tribunals (Amendment) Bill 2014.
Over the two Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bills, Leader of Opposition, Ch Aitizaz Ahsan said the government has made commitments to incorporate further amendments by the opposition when they forwarded in near future as it was already agreed by the government. Federal Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid assured the opposition leader that yes, the government committed to honour its promise and incorporate the future amendment when forwarded by them.
The Senate also passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2014 unanimously. The bill provides amendment in the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. It was moved by Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid. The Upper House also passed “The Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2014”. The bill provides to amend the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan Ordinance, 1979. It was moved by Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Pervaiz Rashid.Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk