Appearing from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad & Quetta

Tuesday, January 19, 2010, Safar 3, 1431

Baloch students killing
Senators stage walk out, demand justice

Muhammad Arshad

Islamabad—Senators across the board on Monday expressed concern over the killing of two students in Khuzdar in result of firing by FC on a protest demonstration. Opposition staged a token walk out of the Upper House of the Parliament demanding probe into the tragedy as well as bringing responsible officials to justice.

The legislators also demanded of the government to come up with its commitments on Balochistan issue, while, treasury side feared some powers were busy in making government’s efforts on soothing Baloch people as futile exercise.

Baloch lawmakers, while speaking on point of order, raised the issue of killing of two students in result of firing by FC on a protest demonstration in Khuzdar and termed the incident as counterproductive in creating anti-federation sentiments in the people.

Senators from other parties took up the issue of helplessness the government over removal of security check posts on different key roads and highways in Balochistan as well as replacement of troops by FC. Legislators were also upset over killings of two Baloch youth in result of firing by security agencies on a protest demonstration in Khuzdar and other areas. Mir Hasil Bazinjo, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Hydri, Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani, Raja Zafarul Haque, Professor Khurshid Ahmad, Wasim Sajjad as well as Raza Rabbani from treasury benches also expressed serious concern on the ongoing law and order situation n Balochistan.

They were of the view that some hidden, but powerful forces were making their bids to foil government’s efforts on normalization of conditions in Balochistan. “Merely replacement of troops by FC was not an appropriate solution to the issue of law and order in Balochistan” remarked Raja Zafarul Haque while endorsing Mir Hasil Bazijo’s viewpoint who raised the issue that another eight pickets and check posts had been erected on key roads and highways in the name of security in Balochistan which were troublesome for the local people. He pointed out that failure the government in addressing concerns of the Baloch people could prove devastative so President, Prime Minister and the ruling party should come up to the commitments made to the people of Balochistan.

Professor Khurshid Ahmad said that issue of Balochistan required urgent and preferring attention of the government lest conditions could be uncontrollable. Highlighting international conspiracies, he questioned the purpose of upcoming visit of high profile American official to Pakistan as well as increasing the number of US marines from 45 to 280 at embassy in the federal capital.

“Is it American embassy or military base” he questioned adding, “What are American motives behind this increase of marines”. Professor also took raised the issue of frequently repeated increase in power and gas tariffs saying , “tariffs are going to be increased up to 48% by April which will be anti people criminal act on the part of government under the pressure of international monetary fund (IMF) in return of provision of loans and aid”.

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