PESHAWAR, Feb 28: The NWFP Assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution condemning recent suicide bombings in the province and the firebombing of the Samjhota Express in India.

The house expressed solidarity with bereaved families. It also expressed grief over the death of people in rain-related incidents.

Assembly members asked the chair to postpone the day’s sitting to express solidarity with the bereaved families.

Abdul Akbar Khan of the People’s Party Parliamentarians tabled the joint resolution. After the passage of the resolution, the chair adjourned the session till Thursday.

The house also condoled with Anwar Kamal Marwat of the Pakistan Muslim League-N and Said Ali Shah of the PML-Q on the death of their wives. Maulana Mujahid al Husaini offered prayers for the departed souls.

Zobaida Khatoon of the MMA condemned the murder of Punjab Social Welfare Minister Zille Huma Usman by a religious fanatic in Gujranwala.

Syed Zahir Ali Shah said there was no Shia-Sunni tussle during Muharram in any part of the city. He said both the sects were living in harmony.

He said the suicide attack in Peshawar was an act of terrorism aimed at harassing the masses.

Agencies adds: Speaker Bakht Jehan Khan nominated Muzzaffar Said, Mian Nisar Gulm Hamid Shah and Qalandar Lodhi as the panel of chairmen for the current session.

In the resolution on terrorist acts, Mr Akbar Khan called upon federal and provincial governments to take concrete measures to curb terrorism. The lawmakers offered Fateha for victims of the recent terrorist acts.

PML-Q parliamentary leader Mushtaq Ghani expressed shock and grief over the Peshawar suicide attack and called for suspending the day’s agenda as a mark of respect for the victims.

The current session of the assembly was requisitioned by the opposition to evolve a strategy to meet the challenge of terrorism in an effective manner. The opposition members assured the government of their support in combating terrorism.

Mian Nadar Shah, Dr Saleem, Muzzaffar Said, Mian Nisar Gul, Sabira Shakir, Zahir Ali Shah, Mazhar Jamil Alizai, Maulana Idrees and Shagufta Naz also condemned the terrorist acts. They said the recent incidents had no link with sectarianism and termed them acts of terrorism.

Woman lawmakers of the MMA wanted inclusion of the deaths of people during Basant, in the resolution but the speaker asked them to withdraw their suggestions and bring a separate resolution on Thursday to condemn such deaths.

However, Shagufta Naz, Sabira Shakir and other female lawmakers of the MMA in a point of order condemned the deaths of people during Basant and held Punjab and federal governments responsible for the loss of lives during the festival.