KARACHI, Oct 21: Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production Chairman Nisar A. Memon has said that the attack on the procession of Pakistan People’s Party has strengthened the resolve of people to root out terrorism and extremism from the country Talking to APP here on Sunday, Mr Memon said time had come that everyone should join hands to fight the menace and curse of terrorism.The PML-Q Senator and former federal information minister also offered funeral prayers of cameraman Arif Khan and recalled that only two weeks back he had met him when he was interviewed.He also visited the ICU and other wards at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre where he was briefed by Emergency Unit In charge Dr Simin Jamali about the arrangements made to handle the dead and injured.Within five minutes of the blast everybody was on duty, she said, adding that nobody took rest until the situation warranted.She informed the senator that hospital handled 55 bodies and handed them to their heirs or shifted them to Edhi mortuary. “Now only two bodies were left,” she said, adding that four wards were occupied by injured.At the hospital, PPP workers thanked the senator for visiting them and inquiring about their welfare regardless of any political consideration.

Mr Memon also talked to PPP leadership, including Senator Raza Rabbani and Latif Khosa, and condemned the blasts.After this incident, he said, time had come that all political forces should unite to defend Pakistan, its people and democracy and join hands to counter the security challenges.He said he was pleased to see that Benazir Bhutto decided to return as a result of National Reconciliation Ordinance and it was the real spirit of democracy. He said she was a leader of political party of national stature. Similarly, he observed, the ‘NRO spirit’ was demonstrated by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which fully facilitated the PPP on the return of Ms Bhutto.—APP