ISLAMABAD, Feb 15: Opposition and government senators on Wednesday blamed each other for the violence in Lahore and Peshawar during protests against the publication of blasphemous caricatures by some European newspapers.
Senators belonging to the treasury benches alleged that those who had organized the protest rallies were responsible for the killing of people and damage to the property in Lahore and Peshawar while the opposition senators said that the government had failed to protect the life and property of the people.
The opposition senators staged a token walkout after their motions seeking disapproval of the Federal Public Service Commission (Second Amendment) Ordinance 2005 were rejected through a voice-vote.
Prof Khurshid Ahmed of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) said that a conspiracy was being hatched by “some elements to put the ongoing protest movement on the wrong track.”
“It seems that some people want to derail the democratic process in the country by taking advantage of the situation,” he said,” he added.
Chief whip of the Pakistan Muslim League Kamil Ali Agha said that the opposition parties had violated their agreement with the city government in which they had promised that a peaceful protest would be held in Lahore.
Allama Abbas Kumaili of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement said that some elements had turned a religious issue into a political issue.
Chaudhry Anwar Bhinder of the PML said it was the duty of the political parties to protect the life and property of the people during protest demonstrations.
Earlier, speaking on resolutions seeking disapproval of the FPSC Ordinance 2005, PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar said it seemed that President Musharraf had promulgated the ordinance because the FPSC chairman in his annual report for the year 2003 had stated that the government had made some illegal appointments and it was violating the law while giving jobs on contract basis. He said that the FPSC chairman had objected to giving extensions to a retired major-general on the post of director-general of post office and a retired brigadier on the post of the Federal Directorate of Education.
Leader of the House Wasim Sajjad said that the matter should not be discussed as it was subjudice and pending in the court. Later, the opposition members staged a token walkout.
