Opposition seeks probe into terrorist attacks in Balochistan – Pakistan

QUETTA: Opposition lawmakers in the Balochistan Assembly have demanded the creation of an investigation committee to investigate the growing terrorist attacks in the province.

However, the debate on Nasarullah Zerey's closing motion of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) could not be completed as President Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo suspended the session due to the lack of quorum.

The quorum was pointed out by the Minister of Public Health Engineering, Noor Mohammad Dummor, when Syed Fazal Agha of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl spoke about the motion.

During the last session of the Balochistan Assembly, he had set October 12 for the general debate on the motion.

Treasury members are urged to ensure that the quorum is present at the assembly

Opposition members and the speaker expressed reservations about the breakdown of the quorum by treasury banks and noted that the Interior Minister was not in the house when the motion for deferral was discussed.

Moving the motion Nasarullah Zerey expressed serious concern about the deterioration of the situation of law and order in the province and said that over a dozen terrorist attacks and bomb explosions occurred in Quetta, Loralai, Chaman, Qila Saifullah and other cities. and cities of the province.

He said the government had allocated more than Rs 40 billion for law and order, but the situation was not satisfactory.

He said a contractor was kidnapped and killed in Harnai. He said the government did not organize informational meetings on terrorist activities as promised.

"The real culprits behind these terrorist activities and crimes in Balochistan should be exposed," Zerey said, adding that it had become essential to implement the National Plan of Action against terrorism in Balochistan.

He said the government had registered more than 250 cases in a year against workers from different political parties. "There have also been three cases against me," he said.

Speaking about the motion, Minister Noor Mohammad Dummar said the terrorist attacks, bomb blasts and other similar incidents were unfortunate. However, he said, the situation of law and order had improved over the past year with the joint efforts of security forces.

"Those who speak against the country's security institutions are equally susceptible to being punished along with those who support morally and financially and provide assistance to terrorists," said Dummar.

Speaking about the motion, Syed Fazal Agha said that Pakistan faced a conspiracy plotted by anti-Islam forces. He expressed dissatisfaction with the situation of law and order.

The assembly passed a bill on Regulations and Registration of Welfare Organizations and Donors of Balochistan; Mental Health Bill, 2019; Bill of the Baluchistan Education Foundation, 2019 with amendment, Draft Registration and Regularization of Private Schools of Balochistan and Bill of Intermediate and Secondary Education Boards of Balochistan, 2019.

The bill on housing and urban planning was sent to the corresponding house committee.

Posted on Dawn, October 14, 2019