Senate condemns Khuzdar school bus attack

Express Tribune

22-05-2025

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The Senate unanimously condemned yesterday's terrorist attack targeting a school bus in Balochistan province's Khuzdar district, which claimed the lives of several children.
Lawmakers labelled the incident as inhumane and demanded swift action against India-backed terrorist groups allegedly operating in the region.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Senator Irfan-ul-Haq Siddiqui, and others spoke out about India's role in supporting terrorism in Pakistan, calling for firm action against external threats.
In his address, Senator Anwar ul Haq Kakar emphasized the need to address the loss of innocent lives and to hold accountable the groups with extremist ideologies, particularly those associated with India's RSS and BJP, for inciting violence in Pakistan.
Senator Irfan-ul-Haq Siddiqui also condemned the Khuzdar attack, saying it was unimaginable that such violence could be inflicted upon innocent schoolchildren.
He rejected any sympathy for the terrorists and called for decisive military action to eliminate the perpetrators. 'I have spent my entire life with words, but I am at a loss for words to describe the sheer brutality of this incident,' Siddiqui said.
Senator Sherry Rehman joined in condemning the attack, calling it an act of inhumanity.
She reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering stance against terrorism, referencing past anti-terror operations and the evidence of Indian involvement in terrorist activities.
Rehman emphasised that no dialogue should take place with those who target innocent civilians. 'There can be no talks with such forces of violence,' she stated.
AWAMI National Party's Aimal Wali Khan condemned the brutality against children, comparing it to a cruelty that "wouldn't even be inflicted on animals."
He criticised the persistent cycle of blame and inaction, asserting that without proper implementation of policies like the National Action Plan, such tragedies would continue.
"For 50 years, we've waited for the next incident, blamed others, and moved on," he stated.
Khan also raised concerns about the neglect of Waziristan and other tribal areas, emphasising the lack of digital tools and basic infrastructure for children growing up in these regions.
"Our children are growing up without basic digital tools,' he remarked. He voiced frustration over a government official's disrespectful language in Senate committees, saying, 'We are not here to be insulted.'
He called for the resignation of the official involved, stressing that the issue was not personal but was about standing for the oppressed people of Waziristan and Pakistan as a whole.
Vawda seeks increased defence spending
Senator Faisal Vawda has called for a significant increase in Pakistan's defence budget, advocating for the doubling of military personnel salaries in response to heightened security concerns, particularly after recent tensions with India.
In a Senate session, Vawda proposed that Pakistan prioritise defence spending over the national development budget, citing the growing security threats facing the country. 'We must tighten our belts and reduce the development budget to raise defence spending,'
Vawda stated, urging that armed forces' salaries be doubled to reflect the gravity of the situation. With Pakistan's recent response to India's provocations — including the death of 285 Indian soldiers in border clashes — Vawda stressed that India's larger military and historical aggression necessitate a strategic shift in the nation's defence priorities.
Vawda also called for political unity, emphasising that the government and opposition must work together to secure the country's defence. 'This initiative can only succeed if all political parties unite under one flag,' he added.