QUETTA: A resolution about the stand-off between the military and a private TV channel over its coverage of an attack on anchor Hamid Mir divided coalition partners in the Balochistan Assembly on Wednesday because the PML-N and PML-Q supported the motion and the National Party and the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) opposed it.

However, the resolution was adopted with a majority vote.

When Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti sought permission for tabling the resolution, Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Information Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal opposed the move. He said the resolution could not be tabled according to rules because the issue had already been discussed by the house and the matter was pending before a judicial commission.

But Deputy Speaker Mir Abdul Qaddus Bizenjo, who chaired the session, rejected his arguments and allowed Mr Bugti to table the joint resolution on behalf of PML-N and PML-Q MPAs.

The resolution praised the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces for the integrity and solidarity of the country and condemned “character assassination” of the ISI chief by the TV channel.

It condemned the attack on Hamid Mir, appreciated the formation of the judicial commission to probe the incident and hoped it would bring facts before people.

In their speeches, movers of the resolution praised the role of the military in the fight against terrorism and anti-state elements.

They said the “campaign launched by the TV channel against the army” tarnished the image of the country at the international level and was aimed at demoralising the patriotic forces and appeasing its foreign masters.