ISLAMABAD Aug 13: The MMA lawmakers in the Senate on Monday demanded a high-powered judicial commission to investigate circumstances in which the operation against Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa was launched.

Opening the debate on law and order situation, parliamentary leader of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) Prof. Khurshid Ahmed termed the operation as darkest chapter in Pakistan’s history. He said the action had a clear linkage with the US crusade against Islam and Muslims.

Mr. Ahmed said the operation was unnecessary, unjustified and based on incorrect, malicious and unverifiable allegations. It involved desecration of the Holy Quran, mosque, madressah and human lives, he added. He, therefore, demanded immediate inquiry by Supreme Court judges.

Maulana Rahat Hussain in a hard-hitting speech warned that the people would not allow any construction in place of Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa and announced to launch a movement against any such move.

He vowed to avenge the military attack and massacre of innocent students and teachers of Jamia Hafsa and demanded of the government to withdraw from the so-called US-led war on terrorism and to make drastic changes in the foreign policy.

Dr. Muhammad Saeed and Prof. Ibrahim said that many inmates killed in the two buildings were hapless youths from the earthquake-hit areas. Prof. Ibrahim said that the administration of the two institutions was punished for its staunch support to Wana tribesmen who were attacked by army in 2004.

Dr. Kausar Firdaus alleged that the conciliatory efforts that were initiated by a team of ulema and MPs were sabotaged.

While presenting report of the standing committee on foreign affairs Mushahid Hussain Sayed asked the western nations to rationalise their policies towards Muslims and the Muslim world.

The lawmakers also took serious notice of absence from the house of their colleague from Balochistan, Sanaullah Baloch, who had left the country to escape alleged harassment from state agencies.

Raising the issue on a point of order, Azam Swati of the MMA told the house that he had met Mr. Baloch during the multi-party conference (MPC) in London last month and he told him that he was living in exile after his two brothers were kidnapped by agencies and they were still missing.

Leader of the opposition Mian Raza Rabbani accused the government of kidnapping the brothers of Sanaullah Baloch to suppress his voice against the injustices that were meted out to the province of Balochistan.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Kamil Ali Agha said it was not correct that Mr Baloch had left the country because his brothers were kidnapped but he was accused of tearing down copies of the Holy Quran and the Constitution of Pakistan.

Mr. Agha claimed to be in possession of audio cassettes which could prove the crime of the Baloch leader when Prof. Ibrahim disputed his assertion.

Being a private members day, several private bills seeking amendments to various articles of the Constitution and ordinances were also introduced and sent to the house committees.