By Eman Alam
ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Thursday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Khuzdar, labeling the targeting of schoolchildren as inhumane and called for a stronger defense against external threats and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens.
The motion to suspend the normal business and discuss the Khuzdar attack was presented by Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani.
During the debate, senators accused India of supporting the perpetrators and emphasized the importance of national unity in the fight against terrorism.
Initiating the debate, former Caretaker Prime Minister Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar condemned the growing influence of Hindutva ideology in India, which he described as a threat to minorities and regional stability. He warned of the ideological spread of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) within Indian state institutions and cited the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as a case of state-sponsored terrorism. Kakar criticized India’s secularism as a façade, citing coercive laws targeting minorities, and denounced the Pulwama attack as a false flag operation.
He commended Pakistan’s united and restrained response, praising the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and reaffirmation of the Two-Nation Theory.
He alleged Indian support for terrorist groups like BLA, BRA, and TTP, accusing them of orchestrating the Khuzdar attack.
Concluding his remarks, Kakar criticized parliamentary inaction and urged lawmakers to prioritize justice for the victims.
Senator Shahzaib Durrani strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a school bus in Khuzdar, calling it an assault on Pakistan’s future and collective hope. He said the targeting of innocent children in his hometown had deeply grieved the nation, describing the attack as a strike not just on a vehicle, but on the country’s history and aspirations.
He said the attack came after the failure of a foreign-backed operation named “Message,” followed by another offensive, “Operation Sindoor,” on May 6–7, which Pakistan countered effectively. He added that when India fails militarily, it reverts to using proxies and targeting soft spots, including schoolchildren.
He said Pakistan, particularly Balochistan, has suffered from terrorism for over two decades, with billions lost and countless lives sacrificed. “How many more coffins must we carry, how many children martyred, before the world sees who the real terrorist is?” he questioned.
He said that when attackers are caught in Pakistan, international media downplays it, while Indian media distorts the narrative. Referring to celebratory posts from Indian accounts after the Khuzdar attack, he accused India of dishonouring Dalits, killing over 70,000 Kashmiris, and now targeting children in Balochistan.
He accused India of inciting hatred and warned the international community that ignoring this could have global consequences, saying the threat could eventually affect their own children. He urged an end to the “good and bad terrorists” narrative and the portrayal of certain actors as merely “displeased and oppressed.” “Enough is enough. It’s time to confront the real enemy,” he concluded.
Senator Faisal Vawda condemned India’s targeting of vulnerable civilians as a cowardly act and called for national unity and stronger defense. He urged the government to promote national unity by engaging the opposition and setting aside political differences. Emphasizing national security, he called for a higher defense budget and doubling armed forces’ salaries, stating, “Without security, there is no sustainable progress.”
He praised the Pakistani military’s restraint, under the Army Chief’s guidance, for avoiding civilian targets despite provocations, demonstrating maturity and responsibility internationally.
He stated that Pakistan decisively eliminated 258 Indian soldiers in retaliation, sending a clear message that aggression will be met with full force. Condemning India’s targeting of children as a sign of weak mentality, he affirmed the nation’s unity behind its armed forces, leadership, and institutions.
Senator Vawda highlighted Pakistan’s victory as both military and diplomatic, emphasizing the country’s success on all fronts. He stressed the importance of unity to protect sovereignty and praised Pakistani soldiers for their sacrifices, particularly during Ramadan, despite meagre allowances. Vawda called for supporting them fully in recognition of their courage.
Senator Vawda urged collective action from the government, opposition, and all political forces to unite with the armed forces for long-term peace. He also called for increasing the defense budget two or threefold to strengthen Pakistan’s ability to counter India.
Senator Irfan-ul-Haq Siddiqui vehemently condemned the recent terrorist attack in Khuzdar, calling it an inhumane and barbaric act that defies all moral and human comprehension.
He stated, “I have spent my entire life with words—teaching, writing, and playing with them–but I must admit, I am at a loss for words to describe the sheer brutality of this incident. It is unimaginable that such individuals exist on this earth, capable of killing innocent schoolgirls.”
