Senator Rehman criticized ‘government’s indifference’ to worsening law and order situation in KP
ISLAMABAD:
The Senate on Tuesday witnessed a heated exchange between the Treasury and the opposition over the growing security situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, as JUI-F senator Attaur Rehman questioned whether the province had effectively been “handed over to terrorists”.
Taking the floor, Senator Rehman criticized “the government’s indifference” to the worsening law and order situation in KP, arguing that legislative matters were being prioritized over human lives. He said focusing on legislation “is in no way more important than the lives of the people of KP.”
“Why has our blood turned white? Why is there no concern for KP?” -Rehman asked. “Blood is spilled there and you are worried about your bills. Are these bills so important that human blood continues to flow while you continue to pass laws?”
He referred to the recent attacks in Lakki Marwat and Bannu, and alleged that the provincial chief minister was “still on tour”.
“Have an idea of our wounds. Why are the conditions of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa not given importance?” said.
Responding to the criticism, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said all terror incidents had been condemned in the House. He added: “I don’t think our hearts don’t hurt because of these incidents.
He said the attacks on police personnel in Bannu and Lakki Marwat were “cowardly”.
Chaudhry said operations were being carried out based on intelligence and rejected the impression that any province was being singled out. “This country will remain, but the terrorists will be defeated,” he said, adding that an incident even took place in Islamabad. He questioned whether the suicide bombing in Tarlai was related to KP.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah also weighed in and stated that he fully respected Senator Rehman’s patriotism but rejected any suggestion that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should separate from Pakistan. “KP and Balochistan are provinces of patriotic Pakistanis,” he said.
