KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly session on Monday paid homage to those who lost their lives in the Army Public School, Peshawar, by observing Chehlum of the Dec 16 tragedy.

The house offered special prayers for the departed souls and condoled with the bereaved families in a joint resolution that condemned the barbaric and cowardly attack on the school.

As a mark of respect to those who lost their lives, speaker Agha Siraj Durrani called it a day at 12:40pm by postponing the rest of the business for the day.

Earlier, soon after the question hour, the speaker gave the floor to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah who said: “Today is a mourning day as it is the 40th day of the martyrdom of young students of the Army Public School. We have announced that special arrangements be made to hold Quran Khwani and special prayers for the martyrs in all schools and offices.”

He suggested the House also offer Fateha for those who lost their lives in Peshawar. The speaker agreed to the proposal and said: “Not only we offer special prayers but if the House agrees, the day’s remaining proceedings be adjourned as a mark of respect to our martyrs”.

MQM deputy parliamentary party leader Khwaja Izharul Hassan agreed to the suggestion and informed the house that a resolution on the subject which was submitted by the MQM had been with the secretariat. It would be proper if it was taken up for consideration before adjourning the session, he said.

Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Pakistan Peoples Party had also submitted a similar resolution. It would be appropriate if a joint resolution was tabled to give a befitting message to the terrorists that despite their mutual differences, they were united on the issue.

The joint resolution, which was tabled with signatures of all members in the house, was first read out by Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Shaharyar Mahar, followed by Khwaja Izharul Hassan of the MQM, Humesh Kumar of the PPP, Shafi Jamote of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Nisar Ahmad Khuhro of the PPP.

The resolution reads: “We condemn from the core of our hearts the barbaric, brutal and cowardly attack by Taliban on the Army Public School in Peshawar on Dec 16 last year that left 132 young students between the ages of 6 and 14 years and some staff members martyred and an equal number injured.

“We not only condemn but demand the arrest of culprits immediately so that they may be convicted and awarded exemplary punishment for the heinous crime. We also convey our condolence to the bereaved families and their kith and kin and pray that Allah Almighty rest the souls of their loved ones in peace”.

RESIGNATIONS: On Monday, when the house reassembled after two days recess at 11.20am with Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani in the chair, Shahryar Mahar, Leader of the Opposition, tried to raise the sugar cane price issue again before formal business could be taken up from the agenda, but the speaker did not allow him.

When Nusrat Sehar Abbasi of the PML-F tried to draw the speaker’s attention towards his announcement last week that he had accepted the resignations of four PTI MPAs and asked about their legal position, Mr Durrani did not reply to her directly and said there was a procedure for resignation.

Then he added: “Are you a member of the PTI? The matter does not concern you.”

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2015

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