December 27, 2003	Saturday	Ziqa’ad 3, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 26: Condemning the second attack on the life of Gen Pervez Musharraf in a period spanning over 11 days, senators on Friday called for revamping and restructuring the country’s intelligence and security network.

The opposition boycotted the proceedings of the Senate but members of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal kept away from the opposition protest.

Soon after recitation from the Holy Quran, Senate chairman Mohammadmian Soomro asked Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat to provide details of the incident in which the president’s convoy was attacked on Thursday, killing 14 people and injuring over 40 persons.

The interior minister said those behind the incident wanted to harm the country politically and economically. He said the government was taking all possible measures for the safety of the president, the prime minister and the entire nation. He denied charges regarding any lapse of security.

Leader of the House Wasim Sajjad said had the terrorists succeeded, there would have been a total chaos in the country. Mr Sajjad said terrorism and extremism were tarnishing Pakistan’s image. He said the incident had raised serious questions regarding safety of the president and the prime minister.

Chief of the Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali Khan condemned the attack and said the incident was a proof of the deteriorating law and order situation in the country. He announced to stage a walkout on the government’s inability to check such incidents. Other opposition members also followed him.

After the opposition’s walkout, MMA Senator Maulana Samiul Haq said the terrorist attack had occurred because of the government’s wrong policies. He said the attack seemed to be an effort to sabotage the upcoming Saarc Summit. He said the incident had occurred when people were celebrating signing of the agreement on the LFO. The MMA senator asked the ARD and other opposition parties to end their boycott. He claimed the MMA had taken the ARD into confidence in each and every stage of the talks with the government on the LFO.