Daily Times

Referring to Christchurch massacre, the lawmakers, on Friday, urged the national and international community to shun the use of the term, ‘Islamophobia’, because terrorism against any state or religion or peoples should not be associated with a religion.

The Senate Standing Committee on Interior said that terrorists did not have any religion, race or language in a meeting held today in the parliament house with Senator Rehman Malik in the chair.

The committee appreciated the concerted efforts of New Zealand Prime Minister in handling the situation after the Christchurch terror attack; terming her actions as equivalent to rewriting world history.

Senators noted that this incident and the resulting response should serve as an eye-opener to the Indian government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which should realign its treatment of Muslims.

Committee Chairman, Senator Rehman Malik, remarked that the people of Pakistan could relate to victims and their families, as they had been the victim of this menace for long.

The committee expressed great grief over the loss of human lives and sympathised with the families of the deceased.

The chairman has also announced to send a letter to New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, on behalf of the committee to appreciate her exemplary role after the incident. In the letter, the committee expressed grief over the tragic loss of lives in the mosques.

The letter appreciated PM Ardern for supporting the families of martyrs in the latest incident of terrorism. The Muslim Ummah, in particular and the entire world were said to have appreciated her visionary steps to strengthen the interfaith harmony.

‘Terrorists did not have any religion, race or language’: Senator Rehman

“This showed your historical leadership and deep association with the residents and people of your country,” senators added.

The committee remarked that Pakistan was suffering at the hands of terrorists through their manifestations of terrorism.

“We have lost over 70,000 Pakistanis in the War against Terrorism,” it added.

Senators remarked that Islam was unfortunately painted with the teachings of peace and harmony and ‘Islamophobia’was coloured in a negative sense by terrorists with the intent to bring a bad name to the religion.

The committee, on behalf of the people of Pakistan, invited the prime minister of New Zealand to visit Pakistan.

The Senators also directed the interior ministry to take up the international acquittal of Samjhota Express in coordination with the Foreign Office.

Senator Rehman also noted that the Samjhota Express incident was a conspiracy of RAW and RSS.

The committee members were unanimous that all political parties and other stakeholders were on one page when it came to internal and external security of the country.

The committee was briefed about the rape of a three-year-old girl in Havelian, Abbottabad.

SP Investigation, Abbottabad, remarked that more than 800 DNA samples had been recorded so far, including details of everyone who had visited the area in any connection on that day.

The parents of the victim were said to be reluctant due to societal issues while the police were trying to get to the culprits.

The committee directed the police department to come up with concrete progress within three weeks or it would recommend naming SHO and DSP in the FIR. Senators also recommended getting the video footage of the area of that day by taking it up with Google through the provincial government. Members of the committee also called for a national database on such cases because many of such cases go unreported.

The briefing on Immigration and Passports Office was deferred due to the absence of Director General.

The Committee expressed displeasure at his absence and warned of strict action if he couldn’t come to the next meeting.

The Upper House was also briefed on the Civil Defence system in the country and its achievements. The committee members were of the view that there remained a need to strengthen and empower this neglected department.

It was also proposed that a draft law be made in consultation with all the relevant departments with a specific focus on training, community development and local bodies’ involvement. Senator Rehman noted that the budget of Civil Defence also needed to be increased and the volunteers should also have some form of a stipend.

The meeting was attended by Senators Azam Khan Swati, Dr Shahzad Wasim, Rana Maqbool Ahmed, Kalsoom Parveen, Additional Secretary Interior, Chief Commissioner ICT, Acting DG Civil Defence, Director HeadQuarters Immigration and Passports, and DG ICT.

Published in Daily Times, March 23^rd 2019.