Opposition walks out from Senate over ‘unsatisfactory answer’ by minister
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ISLAMABAD: The opposition members in the Upper House of the Parliament staged a token walkout to protest against the “unsatisfactory answer” given by Federal Minister of Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf about the whereabouts of missing Pakistani pilgrims in the Mina stampede.
Yousaf came under fire after Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani asked, "Where are the missing pilgrims and what’s their status?" To this, the religious minister was unable to give a satisfactory answer.
He said, “99 Pakistani pilgrims died during the Mina stampede of which 70 have been buried as confirmed by Saudi authorities."
"Information about the remaining 29 pilgrims is yet to be issued by Saudi authorities after which the bodies will be buried — which are currently being kept at a mortuary in Saudi Arabia," the minister remarked.
He added that 18 Pakistanis were missing while two were being treated at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.
“Meanwhile, the missing pilgrims are being tracked by Saudi authorities.”
Pakistan People’s Party Senator Farhatullah Babar said that “exact information about Pakistani victims was not shared with the House and the government is trying to hide the correct details”.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Senator Mohsin Aziz Khan also questioned the “efforts being made to facilitate the families of victims and those injured in Mina incident.”
“The missing Pakistanis would be forgotten if the Saudi and Pakistani governments fail to locate them,” said Senate chief Rabbani.
To this, Yousaf replied that the incident was being investigated by the Saudi government, which does not allow interference in Haj-related matters.
Opposition Senators protested over what they labeled a 'poor statement made by the religious minister' and walked out from the proceedings.
The 'carelessness of Saudi authorities', which resulted in the death of more than 750 pilgrims, has already come under strong criticism by some Senators in the Upper House.
Senator Usman Kakar strongly criticised Saudi officials over "their failure to facilitate pilgrims despite earning billions of dollars". He also blamed Saudi officials for their 'carelessness'.
