Assembly pays tribute to Khanzada, other Attock martyrs

LAHORE
Punjab Assembly Wednesday paid rich tributes to martyr Punjab Home Minister Shuja Khanzada and others who lost their lives in a suicide blast at Shadikhel, Attock on August 16. Shuja Khanzada and DSP Shaukat Shah were among the victims when two suicide bombers attacked a meeting venue.
The resolution was passed unanimously by the House in the absence of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif who is on a foreign visit. The resolution moved by Law Minister Rana Sanaullah stated: “The House terms August 16 incident a national tragedy and shares the grief of the bereaved families, once again, it extends complete support to political and military leadership in the war against terrorism.”
The resolution stated Shuja Khanzada belonged to a well reputed family of Attock and he himself was a brave man who, after seeking commission in Pakistan Army, served on many important offices and was awarded Tamgha-e-Bisalt for his services.
Shuja also served as Military Attaché at Pakistani Embassy in the United States. It also lauded role of Shuja Khanzada and his effective role in the war against terrorism.
Opposition leader in Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmood ul Rasheed while speaking on the floor stated that he had no words to express the grief over the death of brave person like Shuja Khanzada. He said in his last speech in the PA while the former Home Minister was winding up the debate on law and order, Shuja quite bravely named anti-Pakistan forces and discussed the names of RAW, Mossad and CIA. He said no member of the treasury side had ever shown such courage as exhibited by Shuja Khanzada whose tragic killing as a huge loss for all of us. Besides, he said it was really regretful that the person like Shuja Khanzada, who was holding such an important office wasn’t protected like he should have been. He said for two hours after the blast, he kept lying under the rubble but due to poor security measures, his life couldn’t be saved.
Urging the PML-N government in Punjab and centre to realise the gravity of situation, Mian Mehmood-ul Rasheed said that rulers must review their priorities in the interest of this nation. He said that billions of rupees could be spent on metro projects but for NACTA, despite the request of Federal Minister for Interior to allocate at least Rs 25 billion, merely 70 million were announced for this important body.
He said thousands of people safeguard some families but it was really unfortunate that security of people wasn’t seen as a top priority of the government.
Qazi Ahmed Saeed, the Parliamentary leader of PPP, stated PA session should have been convened earlier to pay tribute to a brave fighter like Shuja Khanzada. He said it was unfortunate that nation and this House had lost such an important figure and this House was paying tribute to him in absence of the CM. He said the death of Shuja has aggrieved everyone across the divide. Minister Khalil Tahir Sindhu while paying tremendous tribute to the Khanzada said history belongs to those who fight, not to those surrender and Shuja Khanzada would always be remembered as a brave soldier in the history. He said it was time to exhibit unity to cope with the prevailing situation. Mian Aslam Iqbal of PTI hailed the services and role of Shuja Khanzada as the member of Punjab Assembly. Mian Aslam, who was also a colleague of Shuja Khanzada in 2002 PA, stated he had very pleasant memories with him. He said Shuja Khanzada was a person whose death jolted everyone and it was time we must stand for our martyrs. He also said that House must recommend his name for highest civil award. Minister Iqbal Channer in his address requested Deputy Speaker Sher Ali Gorchani to direct assembly staff to display picture of Shuja Khanzada in the House and the chair immediately endorsed the demand. Saadia Sohail of PTI, Rana Arshad, Waheed Gul Khan and Ghayas ud Din of PML-N also paid tribute to Khanzada.