ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday stressed the need for a national identity as the National Assembly passed a resolution condemning the attack at an imambargah in Islamabad.
Speaking on the floor of the house, Asif said, “It is very important that we have a national identity on which no one disagrees.”
Talking about terrorism, he said, “The spike in terrorism in the country; I am sad to say that we are not even united in the condemnation of terrorism.”
He said that in order to protect political interests, some refrained from attending the funerals of martyrs.
“At least on national issues — all of us sitting here, regardless of which party they belong to … this is one thing on which there needs to be consensus on and that is Pakistan and its integrity as well as respect for those sacrificing their lives,” he said.
In his remarks, the minister said that two dictators in the past had joined the war in Afghanistan to please a superpower. He said terrorism was a blowback of mistakes committed by dictators in the past.
The minister said religious hatred was being fanned in Pakistan under an international conspiracy. He said the last four presidents of the United States were responsible for the killings of millions of Muslims.
“But we always try to get support from the world powers,” he added.
He said India was sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan, adding that it was the need of the hour that all Pakistanis be united to foil India’s plan.
He said that the Afghan government in the past had agreed with Pakistan’s stance but now were reluctant to give any guarantee for controlling terrorism.
“Now, India is using Afghan terrorists against us. India is fighting a proxy war in Pakistan,” he added.
He said there were differences among our religious sects which could be sorted out in Parliament instead of in mosques and imambargahs.
“Let us make this parliament functional in a real manner,” he added.
“History gives us an opportunity for course correction but we have to be loyal to the Constitution. All issues can be resolved here. All problems can be addressed if our politics becomes subservient to the state. Our loyalties to the motherland should not be conditional,” he said.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai, in his speech, said that a three-day debate should be held on terrorism. He said all stakeholders should sit together to find solutions to the problems plaguing the country.
He also offered unconditional support to the government for strengthening Parliament.
“If today we decide that Parliament will be the hub of power and all decisions will be taken here, all our problems will be resolved,” he added.
He also urged the government to ask the United Nations secretary general to hold an international conference on Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the NA also passed a resolution condemning the suicide bombing at the imambargah.
The resolution — tabled by PML-N lawmaker Hameed Hussain — called the attack “a direct attack on the Constitution of Pakistan, religious freedom, national security and interfaith harmony”.
“This house demands that the suicide bombers, facilitators, planners and patrons involved in this incident be exposed and brought to justice,” it said.
It further demanded indiscriminate action be taken against banned organisations and their networks, social media propaganda and public activities.
“Effective and permanent arrangements should be made for the security of places of worship, especially mosques and imambargahs,” the resolution added.
“Immediate and adequate financial assistance should be provided to the families of martyrs, while the injured should be provided with the best medical facilities,” it further demanded.
The resolution further called for an effective counterterrorism strategy at the national level, which should be practically implemented by authorities.
“This house reiterates its resolve that terrorism, sectarianism and hate-based violence will not be tolerated in Pakistan, and will ensure the protection of lives and property of the citizens at all costs,” it said.
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