PA resolution condemns Jaffar Express terror attack

The Sindh Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a resolution to condemn the recent terror attack and hijacking of the Jaffar Express in Balochistan by armed miscreants and paid homage to the military institutions for conducting a valiant and swift operation to kill the terrorists to free the innocent soldiers who had been held hostage at gunpoint.

The resolution was tabled by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. Speaking on his resolution, the CM condemned the terror attack on the passenger train terming it a cowardly act perpetrated by the terrorists. He paid tribute to the Pakistan Army whose personnel conducted a daring operation to quickly free all the passengers held hostage by the armed terrorists.

He greeted the Balochistan government and Pakistan Army for swiftly conducting an operation to kill the terrorists and free the hijacked train. The CM urged the House to pass the resolution to express solidarity with the Pakistani armed forces engaged in fighting the terrorists.

Speaking on the resolution, Sindh Senior Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that incidents like the Jaffar Express attack did not occur randomly but they were carefully planned.

He said a sense of deprivation had been prevailing among the people of Balochistan and injustices were committed against them in the past. He noted that President Asif Ali Zardari had earlier unconditionally apologised to the people of Balochistan and introduced the "Aaghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan" package for their rights.

Memon emphasised that Balochistan was a land rich with natural resources, and if peace and stability was restored, it could become a self-sufficient province. However, he claimed that the situation in Balochistan had been deliberately worsened as certain forces did not want the region to progress.

Speaking about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, he stated that its founder was Zardari who transformed Gwadar into an international port. Memon stated that enemy nations of Pakistan, in collaboration with certain neighbouring states, had been promoting conflict among Pakistanis and targeting citizens of Pakistan’s friend countries.

He referred to the suicide attack on foreign language teachers at the University of Karachi, stating that such incidents benefitted anti-Pakistan elements.

The information minister praised the security forces for their operations against terrorists, saluting the brave personnel who freed the hostages of the Jaffar Express and eliminated the terrorists.

He urged those who truly supported the country to lay down their arms and engage in dialogue with the government. He stressed that everyone must work together to find a solution to this issue.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said terrorism was being spread in Balochistan and it was no secret that these terrorists received support and assistance from neighbouring countries.

He said explosives used in the Second World War had been used in the Karachi airport terror incident, but fortunately, it resulted in little damage. He said the terrorist attack on the train was carried out under a well-thought-out conspiracy as he saluted the soldiers of the Pakistan Army who responded in a very short time and controlled the situation.

Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani said the ongoing war against terrorism should succeed in the country as a pre-requisite for the success of other good efforts of the government.

He said terrorism posed one of the biggest challenges to Pakistan and the army officers and personnel fighting against terrorists were true heroes of the country who deserved the utmost respect from the nation for their bravery.

Ghani remarked that one should not forget the fundamental services of the armed forces, police and paramilitary forces while objecting to some of their acts. He opined that every aspect and function of the national institutions, including the judiciary, were not praiseworthy, as there had been essentially shortcomings in the functioning of these state organs.

The local government minister opined that maintenance of the law and order situation was one of the prerequisites for the progress of the country and resolving the basic issues of the people.

He viewed that criticising and using foul language against daring army men engaged in fighting terrorists in the country was a complete disservice to the country. He recalled that the same sorrowful defamation campaign had been launched on social media when a helicopter engaged in flood relief work in Balochistan crashed, resulting in the martyrdom of army officers, including a serving general.

He said the entire nation should extend unqualified and unreserved support to the army officers and personnel fighting against terrorists. He said the services and sacrifices of the martyred personnel of the army, paramilitary forces and police should always be praised to the extent that their fellow soldiers and family members had the fullest realisation that the nation valued these selfless sacrifices.