Senators want army to take over Karachi

Daily Times

The Upper House on Tuesday urged the government to hand over Karachi to the Pakistan Army to deal strictly with criminals. The Senate also suggested declaring emergency in Karachi. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) boycotted the session against rising violence in Karachi. The senators were of the view that it is the right time for military action, not speeches by the interior minister. After a heated debate, the Awami National Party (ANP) demanded immediate military operation in Karachi while the MQM demanded imposition of emergency in the city. MQM Senator Mustafa Kamal said that the prime minister should take immediate action on the issue. He demanded that the premier should impose emergency in the city. He also suggested that the PM and other top officials of the government should visit Karachi and address people’s complaints. Kamal demanded that the government take action against criminals in Karachi irrespective of their political affiliation. He said, “We are going to walk out from Senate until complete restoration of peace in Karachi.” ANP Senator Ilyas Bilour said that peace in Karachi cannot be restored until army operation was launched in the city. “Enough is enough, we don’t want any further briefing but want action over Karachi unrest,” he added. He demanded that the prime minister brief parliamentarians on Karachi law and order situation. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Senator Mushahidullah Khan said that his party does not support any operation in Karachi because no operation could be successful in the presence of the government. Only military action could flush out terrorist groups from Karachi. Without military operation there is no way to resolve Karachi situation. He also tried to walk out over Karachi issue but the Senate chairman stopped him to listen respond from law minister. ANP Senator Zahid Khan said it is very disappointing that neither federal nor provincial government accepted responsibility of Karachi law and order situation. He said that the situation would further deteriorate if appropriate measures were not taken. He suggested the government to take up stern action before Muharram. Law Minister Farooq H Naek informed the House that on Tuesday (today) is federal cabinet meeting and he would apprise the PM of the concern of the senators on Karachi law and order situation. In other routine proceedings, the Senate took up the privilege motion of Senator Abdul Nabi Bangash against Punjab Police and sent it to the committee concerned. Standing Committee on Defence Chairman Mushahid Hussain Syed presented report of the committee to amend the Airports Security Force Act, 1975 (The Airport Security Force (Amendment) Bill 2012). The Senate also passed a felicitating resolution over Diwalai for Hindu community. To a question during the question hour session, Naek informed the Senate in a written reply that there was no bar on a citizen of Pakistan having dual nationality for appointment in the judiciary. Asked if there were any officers/officials of the federal and provincial governments against whom cases of corruption were registered by NAB from 2008 to 2011, Farooq Naek said that NAB had informed that necessary information was being collected from Regional Offices of the NAB and the House would be informed as and when received from the quarters concerned. “I will share all details on the next rotta day about this question,” he assured. Minister for Postal Services Sardar Umar Gorgeij told the House that Pakistan Post is providing services in the international sector including Foreign Letter Mail Service which includes Letters, Aerogramme, Postcards, Printed Papers, Small Packets and Cecogramme (Literature for the Blinds); Foreign Parcel Service which include air parcel service, surface air lifted parcel service and surface parcel service; and express mail service. He said that Pakistan Post has computerized 83 GPOs and launching of Central Software Solution (CSS) is under active process to improve performance of Agency Services.