Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Opposition slammed the government in National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday over the Bacha Khan University (BKU) attack, asking how such an incident could take place just a year after the terrorist attack on Army Public School in Peshawar after which the security measures at educational institutions had been boosted.

The opposition pressurised the treasury to delay the business of the House so that information about Bacha Khan University (BKU) attack could be exchanged and the way forward discussed. Opposition leader Khursheed Shah condemned the terrorist attack at BKU and asked the treasury to explain how an incident similar to the Army Public School attack has taken place. He demanded the regime provide a briefing on the security measures that were put in place to prevent suck attacks. Amid hue and cry, PML-N’s Pervez Rashid said that information is being sought about the assault and added that the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) had reacted quickly.

While noting that four blasts had occurred during BKU attack, Khursheed Shah lamented, “All that parliament is concerned about is to hurry up and wind up the business of the day by passing bills. If this attitude continues the public will begin to lose confidence in their parliamentary representatives.” Awami Muslim League’s (AML) Sheikh Rasheed told the House that at least 3,000 students study at BKU and demanded the government task Rangers with the security of parliament so as to prevent a terrorist attack.

Due to uproar in the House, its proceedings were adjourned for an hour. Later, Pervez Rashid told it that the terrorists stormed BKU in the morning taking advantage of the heavy fog, but were engaged right away in a gunbattle by the BKU’s security personnel, who were later hospitalised for having sustained injuries. He said one police officer was also injured in cross-firing.” Rashid added that 19 students and staff members have lost their lives, while at least 19 were injured. The armed forces killed at least three terrorists.

“LEAs have taken over one hostel building and a search operation is underway at the other hostels. The prime minister is being constantly briefed on the situation,” Rashid said, adding that the PM has advised him to fly to BKU immediately along with PML-N’s Balighur Rehman and Abdul Qadir. “Zarb-e-Azb has led to a drastic reduction in such terrorist incidents. Our forces today responded quickly,” Balighur Rehman said.

Separately, responding to the calling-attention notice regarding non-mentioning of mailing addresses on Machine Readable Passports (MRP) which makes it hard to find the owner if it is lost, PML-N’s Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the system had been designed in accordance with the international civil aviation standards.