NA, Senate sessions ring with condemnation of horrific Islamabad blast

ISLAMABAD: Routine business was suspended in parliament on Monday as both the National Assembly (NA) and Senate held prayers for those killed in a suicide attack at an imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area, with lawmakers moved to take up the incident for debate.

Monday’s NA session began under Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. A motion to suspend the day’s agenda was tabled by the federal minister for parliamentary affairs and approved by the lawmakers. Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri led a prayer for the victims.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told the NA the attack took place at an imambargah in Tarlai, where an assailant opened fire on security guards, entered the mosque area and detonated explosives.

He said 33 worshippers had been killed so far and more than 150 people were injured. He added that most of those killed were young people, saying the presence of educational institutions in the area meant more students were among the congregation.

Chaudhry said a cousin of Islamabad’s police chief had been killed and his uncle injured.

He told lawmakers the attacker had been identified as “Yasir Khan”, and said authorities had also learned that another terrorist linked to the incident was a suicide attacker.

He said the Counter-Terrorism Department in Nowshera had arrested four suspected terrorists.

Chaudhry said the attacker received training in Afghanistan, and claimed India trained suicide attackers in Afghanistan and was behind the operation.

He said intelligence agencies had foiled similar plots in the past and that places of worship had security procedures, but added that guards were unable to stop the attacker.

Meanwhile, the Senate also suspended routine business and decided to debate the incident. The session began with prayers for those killed.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar addressed the upper house, saying private members’ bills on Monday’s agenda were being moved to Wednesday.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas delivered an emotional address, contrasting mourning with celebrations elsewhere.

“We were carrying coffins, and in one city drums and music were being played,” he said.

Abbas said those spreading division and hatred were operating openly.

“Pakistan is not a sectarian Pakistan — it was made a Muslim Pakistan,” he said. “This is Muslim Pakistan. This is Pakistan for all of us.”

He said hate-mongers also existed within the country and questioned why security operations had not prevented attacks.

“First there was the TTP and the BLA — now ISIS has also arrived,” he added.

Abbas said terrorism was increasing and blamed gaps in planning and security.

“Our priorities are something else. Giving the country peace and law and order should be our priority. At this time in Pakistan, our life and property are not safe,” he said. “Innocent people are being killed every day.” Staff Report