Federal Minister for Interior Senator Rehman Malik addressing the upper house of the parliament.  — File Photo by Online

ISLAMABAD: During the Senate's session on Friday, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik defending his earlier decision to ban motorcycles from the roads in Karachi (for today) said that the parliament had failed, DawnNews reported.

Senator Raza Rabbani objecting to the federal minister's claim said the parliament had not failed and that the parliament could not give a stamp of approval on weak legislature.

Malik stood by his action saying he respected the decision of the Sindh High Court but added that the move to ban motorcycles off the roads was right as motorcycles provided an easy mode of transportation to terrorists and were used in most terrorist activities.

Senator Malik said the decision to ban motorcycles was taken in view of information received that a motorcycle would be used as a bomb on the first day of Muharram in Karachi. He also said that motorcycles were used in 438 bomb attacks across the country during the current year whereas 96 motorcycles were destroyed in bomb attacks in Karachi alone.

Malik further said he would appeal in the Supreme Court against the Sindh High Court's decision against the ban imposed on motorcycles in Karachi on the first day of Muharram.

Senator Babar Awan also criticised the decision to order motorcycles off the roads and termed the move as illegal.

The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) staged a walk-out from the senate session over the situation in Karachi and the party's Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said the government had lost its writ in Karachi and that it was not serious about improving the situation in the city.

Speaking to media representatives later, the interior minister reiterated his stance, saying the order was issued in the light of reports from intelligence agencies.

He added that the order was issued after consultations with and support from the allies.

Malik lamented that he was harshly criticised for the order to keep motorcycles off the roads in Karachi on the first day of Muharram.

Editorial

Ominous demands
Updated 18 May, 2024

Ominous demands

The federal government needs to boost its revenues to reduce future borrowing and pay back its existing debt.
Property leaks
18 May, 2024

Property leaks

THE leaked Dubai property data reported on by media organisations around the world earlier this week seems to have...
Heat warnings
18 May, 2024

Heat warnings

STARTING next week, the country must brace for brutal heatwaves. The NDMA warns of severe conditions with...
Dangerous law
Updated 17 May, 2024

Dangerous law

It must remember that the same law can be weaponised against it one day, just as Peca was when the PTI took power.
Uncalled for pressure
17 May, 2024

Uncalled for pressure

THE recent press conferences by Senators Faisal Vawda and Talal Chaudhry, where they demanded evidence from judges...
KP tussle
17 May, 2024

KP tussle

THE growing war of words between KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is affecting...