Senate struggles over rising terror attacks in KP

ISLAMABAD:

The Senate on Tuesday witnessed a heated exchange between the Treasury and Opposition benches over the escalating security situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, as JUI-F senator Attaur Rehman questioned whether the province had indeed been “handed over to terrorists”.

Speaking, Senator Rehman criticized the government’s “indifference” over the deteriorating law and order situation in KP, arguing that legislative matters were given priority over human lives. He said the focus on the legislation was “in no way more important than the lives of the people of KP”.

“Why has our blood turned white? Why is there no worry for KP?” » asked Rehman. “Blood is flowing out there and you’re 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 said the provincial chief minister was “always on tour”.

“Have an idea of ​​our wounds. Why are the conditions of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa not given importance? ” he said.

Responding to criticism, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said every terrorist incident had been condemned in the House. He added: “I don’t believe our hearts don’t suffer from these incidents.

He said the attacks on police personnel in Bannu and Lakki Marwat were “cowardly”.

Chaudhry said intelligence-based operations were ongoing 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 Tarlai suicide attack was linked to the KP.

Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah also intervened, saying he fully respected Senator Rehman’s patriotism but rejected any suggestion of separation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from Pakistan. “KP and Balochistan are provinces of patriotic Pakistanis,” he said.