ISLAMABAD: In a rare show of unison, legislators from both the government and opposition walked out of the Senate on Monday in protest of the May 12, 2007 carnage in Karachi that left dozens dead.
Speaking on a point of order, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Senator Mian Raza Rabbani claimed that May 12 was a black day in the history of Pakistan when “a dictator and his coalition partners murdered dozens of innocent people in Karachi”.
“Chief Justice (Iftikhar Chaudhry) was on the right path when he declined to bow in front of Musharraf,” said Rabbani. “Even lawyers observe May 12 as a black day in history,” he added.
In a reference to recent statements by the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief, Rabbani alleged that Dr Tahirul Qadri was still trying to promote the cause of a dictator, and violating the constitution of Pakistan while sitting in Canada.
The senior PPP leader said parliament would not allow such violations of the Constitution, and urged Pemra to stop Qadri from being able to do so.
Awami National Party (ANP) leader Shahi Syed said that the violence that erupted on May 12 killed 48 people, out of which 22 belonged to his party. “We sacrificed our lives for the cause of the judiciary’s independence,” he said, urging that a judicial inquiry should be conducted in to the incident.
“Justice is yet to be served even after the passage of seven years,” he added.
Senator Hasil Bizenjo of the National Party (NP) also supported the idea of a judicial inquiry into the incidents.
Senator Mushahidullah Khan of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) alleged that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was to blame for the violence as they were part of the government when the incident took place.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Saeed Ghani blamed the courts for failing to bring the culprits to the book.
MQM rubbishes allegations
Rejecting criticism hurled at the party by senators belonging to both treasury and opposition benches over the May 12, 2007 violence in Karachi, MQM leaders said that party workers reserve the right to protest for such conduct.
Speaking to media representatives, MQM Senator Nasreen Jalil termed May 12 as the darkest day in Pakistan’s history. She claimed that 42 MQM activists were killed on the day.
Without taking any names, Jalil alleged that the vehicle of a PPP leader was also used in “violence against MQM” the same day seven years ago.
Earlier, MQM lawmakers also staged a walkout from the Senate in protest over delays in issuance of Pakistani ID and passport for party chief Altaf Hussain.