February 20, 2007	Tuesday	Safar 2, 1428

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ISLAMABAD Feb 19: The treasury and the opposition benches unanimously condemned the terrorist attack on the Sajhota Express and termed it Muslim victimisation at the hands of Indian nationalists.

The Senate session, which resumed after a two-day recess, however, could not adopt a unanimous resolution, condemning the Indian security forces’ inability to provide adequate protection to Pakistani passengers.

At the outset of the proceedings, Deputy Chairman Senate Jan Muhammad Jamali condemned the train attack and urged the foreign minister to officially state that “we have been victimised by Indian nationalism”.

Leader of the opposition Mian Raza Rabbani also condemned the attack and blamed the government for failing to suitably respond to the situation, adding that the families of the victims were not given proper information about the casualties.

He said the government had also failed to provide the house with the details of anti-terrorist measures.

Leader of the house Wasim Sajjad termed the incident a despicable act that should be condemned by everyone.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan People’s Party (Parliamentarians) continued to boycott the Senate proceedings for the second day on Monday to protest what they termed was the government’s apathy towards its grievances during the Karachi by-polls.

Mian Rabbani said that no inquiry had been ordered despite a government assurance, adding that the government had not even clarified its stand after the party’s lawmakers staged a walk out on Friday. Therefore, he said, the party had been left with no option but continue the boycott.

Wasim Sajjad said that a case had been registered regarding the attack on PPP’s information secretary Ms Sherry Rahman and that the government was determined to take action against anyone who was found to be involved in any misdemeanour during the by-polls.

Criticising the opposition for boycotting the Senate session, he said the government was trying to make the upcoming elections free, fair and transparent, adding that the government was seeking opposition’s suggestions in this regard.

Minister of State for Interior Zafar Iqbal Warriach alleged that Dr Azra of PPP had not yet registered any FIR in the ‘purported murderous attack’ and Ms Sherry Rahman had also delayed the registration of an FIR in her case till Feb 17 while the incident had occurred on Feb 14.

He said that 18 people had been killed and 29 other were injured in the Quetta blast, adding that 36 suspects had been arrested in the said case.

Mushahid Hussain, who is also chairman of the Senate’s foreign affairs and Kashmir committee, presented a report about the Afghanistan situation.

He said the house would be welcome to initiate a debate on the report since it touched upon a number of sensitive issues like Afghanistan-Pakistan relations, Talibanisation, terrorism and border tensions.