NWFP PA seeks recovery of missing persons | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

NWFP PA seeks recovery of missing persons

PESHAWAR: The NWFP Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution asking the federal government to recover BBC correspondent in South Waziristan Dilawar Jan Wazir and all other missing persons, besides taking proper measures to ensure protection of the life and property of citizens. The House supported the movers of the jointly drafted resolution with “yes” when the Speaker put it to the voice vote. Soon after recitation from the Holy Quríaan, ANP parliamentary leader Bashir Ahmad Bilour on a point of order expressed concern over the kidnapping of the journalist from Islamabad. He said that journalists were playing a vital role in the socio-political development of the society. “We condemn this act of cowardice and demand of the federal government to take action for ensuring the recovery of Dilawar Khan.”

Former senior minister Sirajul Haq supported the mover and expressed concern over mysterious kidnappings of journalists and other people. He said some people say that the missing people were in the custody of agencies and police. He asked why these agencies kept these people in detention without producing them in the court of law. Expressing concern over the ongoing deplorable trend, he said people, particularly journalists, were not safe. MMA’s Nadir Shah also observed that people and journalists were being kidnapped and later killed. He urged the government to take proper and immediate steps to curb such incidents. He demanded the government recover all the missing persons.

During the question-answer session, Speaker Bakht Jehan Khan took strong notice of the absence of provincial ministers, saying that the government should ensure the presence of the ministers in the House. MMA’s Muzaffar Syed asked a question regarding abolishment of assistant director posts in the probation department. He said some probation officers were on the list of promotion, but they were not provided with justice. Replying to the question on behalf of the provincial minister for law and parliamentary affairs, Minister for Local Governments Sardar Idrees said that after the abolishment of the administrative divisional system they had been given the option of being absorbed in other departments, and three of them opted for that option.
Source: The News
Date:11/22/2006