Khursheed Shah lashes out at govt for ‘non-seriousness’ over Shikarpur tragedy

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Syed Khursheed Shah of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Tuesday assailed the government over what he termed its ‘non-serious attitude’ shown in the Shikarpur imambargah massacre.

Speaking in the lower house of Parliament, he said despite repeated reminders form the MNAs, the government has not taken notice of the deadly suicide attack at an imambargah that killed at least 61 people including children during Friday prayers.

Shah said Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan did not even condemn the incident and was only interested in securing the federal capital.

“How can a person who could not even handle Sikandar – an armed man responsible for the infamous 2013 standoff in Islamabad – protect the whole country,” he said.

The PPP leader said the masses in Sindh were frustrated after the Shikarpur incident, adding that cruelty and helplessness of this magnitude has never been witnessed in the country’s history.

Responding to accusations hurled at the government, Federal State Minister Sheikh Aftab said that Shikarpur was not just a Sindh town but belongs to all in the country. Government is saddened by the tragic incident and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been taking everyone onboard on all matters of the national interest, he added.

‘Petrol crisis an example of bad governance’

The opposition leader also accused the government of the recent petrol crisis, terming it an example of bad governance in the country.

“What would be a bigger atrocity than collecting 27 per cent sales tax on petroleum products?” he questioned.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi presented a report in the house on the petrol crisis. He said Pakistan State Oil (PSO) was facing financial problems, adding that 100,000 metric ton petrol was sold across the country in the last three days.

He said that additional oil has been stocked to avoid anymore shortages in the coming days.

Taking part in the debate, Khursheed Shah said that his party was raising voice against the government’s shortcomings at suitable forum despite that fact that the PML-N opposition went to the courts over similar issues during their last tenure.

He said absence of all three concerned ministers from the house was an evidence of the government’s failure in tackling the issues of grave concern.

The session was later adjourned till Wednesday.