89 Ghazi Force militants arrested in Punjab: senator

Govt keeps mum on Lal Masjid in Senate; resolution moved on Defence Day of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday in the Senate preferred not to utter a word on a ‘secret crackdown’ against the radical elements of Lal Masjid despite the insistence by the opposition senators, who pressed for a briefing on the issue.

The government yet again was asked during the second sitting of the 252nd session to explain why it was not willing to take action against the former prayer leader of the mosque Maulana Abdul Aziz inspite of a plethora of evidence available regarding his links with the militant outfits.

MQM’s Colonel (retd) Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi moved an adjournment motion in the House, seeking a debate on the ‘Crackdown on Lal Masjid elements, after intelligence agencies confirmed its links with militant outfits such as ISIS’.

Speaking on the admissibility of the motion, he said that security forces had started a secret crackdown on the Lal Masjid fugitives after intelligence agencies confirmed their links with militant outfits.

He claimed, “A secret crackdown against Lal Masjid fugitives was undertaken by intelligence agencies after they were found in constant contact with militant organisations prominently Daesh and other proscribed militant groups in Pakistan.”

Mashhadi, who earlier delivered an emotional speech on the Defence Day of Pakistan, continued that reports of secret crackdown against extremist elements, associated with Lal Masjid, were commendable. He emphasised the government should continue such crackdown as contacts with terror outfits from the federal capital by Abdul Aziz were a serious threat to the security of the state.

He said that 89 people, belonging to ‘Ghazi Force’, a militant group formed in 2007 by Abdul Aziz, had been arrested in various operations during the last two months in the Punjab. On this occasion, he claimed the law-enforcement agencies had also killed more than 35 suspected militants in intelligence-based operations in various parts of the Punjab.

Mashhadi revealed that 278 members of Ghazi Force were under surveillance, while some of the people associated with this force were killed in various parts of Punjab during intelligence-based operations in the province.He questioned the inability of the government to arrest Maulana Abdul Aziz despite all the evidence about his links with militant organisations.

However, State Minister for Interior Muhammad Balighur Rehman opposed the motion and said there were so many cases against the cleric hence the government could brief the House on the issue, without confirming or denying the ‘crackdown’.

Senator Ahmad Hassan of PPP, who was chairing the sitting, ruled the motion out of order. PTI Senator Noman Wazir took an exception to chair’s ruling.A resolution moved by Leader of the House Raja Muhammad Zafarul Haq was unanimously adopted, which said, ”The Senate salutes the martyrs and heroes of valiant Pakistan armed forces, who defended the motherland with characteristic courage, sacrifices and determination on the occasion of Defence Day of Pakistan, 51 years ago, when our cowardly neighbour launched a war of aggression against Pakistan by crossing the international border at Lahore on September 06, 1965. The entire nation was united to combat and defeat the aggressor.”

It said, “The kind of morale and unity that was demonstrated during that period was unprecedented, it showed the spirit of resilience and resistance of the Pakistani nation, with people of Pakistan at their back, foiling nefarious designs of the enemy”.

“The Senate of Pakistan reaffirms its resolve to continue supporting our valiant armed forces for their sacrifices to eliminate terrorism from Pakistan so that there is an abiding peace, security and stability in our region as the core cause of conflict and instability will be removed and the country attains economic self-sufficiency,” the resolution said.

It further said that the biggest lesson as we mark the Defence of Pakistan Day is that a nation united can never be defeated, adding let it not be forgotten that the Kashmir dispute was the catalyst for the 1965 War, and then, as today the people of Jammu and Kashmir have not only rejected the Indian occupation but are resisting Indian atrocities with all the spirit that an unarmed people can muster, namely, the realization that right is might.”

The House adopted a motion, empowering the chairman Senate to nominate senators for the 20-member parliamentary panel formed by Speaker National Assembly, which will give its recommendation to revisit the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.

Federal Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid moved the motion in the House, which was unanimously adopted. After the 20-member parliamentary committee comprising MNAs and senators is formed, it will give its recommendations for amendment in NAB Ordinance 1999.

Mashahdi and Lt Gen (retd) Salahuddin Termizi, the two retired military officers, said that the way India had to face a humiliating defeat in 1965 became possible as the whole nation stood behind the armed forces of Pakistan.

Both had taken part in the 1965 war, recalled that the performance of all the forces – Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy – was outstanding and this was the reason the enemy had to run away with its tail between its legs.

In emotional speeches, they noted despite limited resources, the military won the 1965 war as the whole nation stood behind it, adding the armed forces of Pakistan are more well equipped than 1965 and fully capable of giving a humiliating defeat to the enemy.

The Pakistan Engineering Council (Amendment) Bill, 2016, was presented in the House, which was referred to the concerned standing committee for further consideration and to report back to the House.

Zahid Hamid laid a copy of the money bill, the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2016, laid in the Senate, for making recommendation. The chair issued directives to senators to give their recommendations within 10 days.