Renovation of Lal Masjid starts

Published July 15, 2007

ISLAMABAD, July 14: The Capital Development Authority has started renovation work on Lal Masjid that would be completed within 15 days, an official of the Authority said here Saturday.

He said Directorate of Services had started the work immediately after the completion of Operation Silence.

Regarding Jamia Hafsa, he said the authority in collaboration with Nespak is carrying out an inspection that whether it is in position of use or not and after that the CDA would decide about the fate of the seminary.—APP

Our Staff Reporter adds: An opposition senator on Saturday submitted an adjournment motion to the Senate Secretariat seeking a debate on the Lal Masjid crisis.

Senator Sadia Abbasi of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has submitted the motion under Rule 74 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate 1988.

In her motion, a copy of which is available with Dawn, Ms Abbasi stated that the Lal Masjid crisis had exposed the “inherent weaknesses” of the government in handling sensitive issues of law and order, and in regulating the workings of religious seminaries in the country.

“It is a matter of urgent public importance as the loss of hundreds of precious lives in the military operation and the issue of missing students and persons has traumatised the country,” she said, adding: “This requires a comprehensive debate as a situation was allowed to develop which resulted in disastrous and tragic consequences.”