News Desk
QUETTA: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Parliamentary Leader Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani on Saturday expressed regret over his remarks made during an earlier session of the Balochistan Assembly and apologised if his words had hurt anyone.
Speaking in the provincial Assembly, Umrani said the PPP had always opposed terrorism and extremism and that he personally remained firmly against militant violence.
He said some portions of his earlier speech on the law and order situation in Balochistan were circulated on social media after being taken out of their broader context.
Umrani said he personally understood the consequences of terrorism, recalling that his residence had been targeted in the past.
He also said he had received extortion demands from outlawed militant groups.
The PPP leader maintained that his party had continued to support the state and its institutions in the fight against terrorism.
Umrani Seeks Withdrawal of Resolution
Umrani also requested Balochistan Assembly Speaker Captain (retd) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai to remove the condemnation resolution passed against him from the Assembly record.
He argued that passing such a resolution against a sitting member was not in line with parliamentary procedure.
During the proceedings, Speaker Achakzai read out the resolution moved by PPP lawmaker Ali Madad Jattak.
The resolution accused Umrani of making remarks against state institutions and prominent personalities of Balochistan.
CM Bugti Steps In
The Speaker then invited Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti to help settle the matter.
Bugti said that since Umrani had already expressed regret, there was no need to prolong the controversy.
He urged members to put the issue behind them and focus on matters concerning the province.
The Chief Minister said the present legislators would eventually be replaced by a new generation, stressing the importance of resolving differences through parliamentary dialogue.
The intervention brought the controversy over Sadiq Umrani’s remarks to an end in the Balochistan Assembly.
