Anti-terrorism bill tabled in Senate

The government on Tuesday moved the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2010 to the Senate to amend the anti-terrorism act 1997. Minister for Interior Rehman Malik moved the bill to the House urging to suspend rules for immediately taking up the bill as he stated, there was an urgent need of this law. But, opposition member Prof Ibrahim objected the assertions of Malik and said, as the bill relates to future of the country, therefore it should be discussed in detail at the House Committee on Interior. Senator Safdar Abbasi also supported Prof Ibrahim and said, legislation is prerogative of this House. Amendments have been proposed in 25 sections, therefore it should be discussed threadbare at the committee. Shahid Bugti also proposed proper deliberation at Committee as he stated that such laws were misused in the past. On this, Interior Minister agreed with notions of the members though he requested the Chair to set a time frame for deliberations and bring the bill back to the House. Leader of the House in the Senate Nayyer Bokhari proposed that the committee should be given time till Friday and the bill should come to the House by Monday. After evolving consensus, Acting Chairman Senate Mir Jan Jamali referred the bill to Standing Committee with direction to complete deliberations by Friday and bring the bill to the House by Monday so it may be discussed for next three days. Rehman Malik informed Senate that militant outfits in Balochistan killed as many as 252 settlers since January to July 2010, on behest of foreign hands. Malik said there is no concept of violations, liberation forces, Lashkars and armies in political parties but contrary to that four such forces are operating in Balochistan, in what he said are being funded by the foreign elements poised to destabilize the country by disrupting peace in Balochistan, the hub of natural resources. The Interior Minister questioned parliamentarians from Balochistan as why they do not react when national flag is set on fire in their province where youth is being misused by anti-state elements to undermine national integrity and stability. He said the elimination of liberation forces is a must for the countrys stability and peace, adding the PPP leadership rendered numerous sacrifices but they never stood against national integrity. The minister also questioned the source of income for Harbyar Marri and Brahamdakh Bugti and said, if you hide Lashkars in streets of Makran, how can we say them patriotic. This is injustice with Balochistan. If we shall not pay heed, we shall face losses. The Interior Minister said, law enforcing agencies are there to maintain peace and if peace shall not be maintained, there will be violence and violence breeds violence. But he added, we cannot deal with Balochistan without local support, and sought support from Parliamentarians and political forces in the province. He also offered to show evidence to Balochistan leaders for their satisfaction and said, we have the blue print about what they want to do. Integrity of our country is supreme to us. If we have defeated Taliban, we shall defeat other saboteurs also.