The lawmakers, speaking on an adjournment motion, claimed that insurgents had long suspected that polio vaccinators were potential spies. The resolution demanded of the government to pay proper compensation to heirs of victims of the attacks, adding that the anti-polio drive should continue without any impediment.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi termed attackers on polio vaccinators monsters, saying they were destroying Pakistan's future. "Attack on these people [anti-polio teams] is against the very ideology of Pakistan," he maintained. Senator Rubina Khalid observed that time is ripe to draw a line between "militants and peace lovers". "We should be united to discourage these people, who are out to destabilise the country through cowardly acts."
Senator Rafique Rajwana of PML-N said that people who wanted to block the anti-polio drive just wanted to create chaos. "This is no service to the religion or humanity," he said. Senator Muhammad Khan Sherani of the JUI-F proposed that Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) should act now and pass some resolution in favour of the polio vaccination campaign. "Religious scholars and minorities should play their role in making anti-polio campaigns successful," he said.
Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo said that Pakistan was among three countries, including Somalia and Afghanistan, where polio persisted. "If we fail to eradicate the menace by the end of next year we will be facing international travel sanctions." Concluding the debate on the adjournment motion moved by Senator Hamza, Minister for Inter-Provincial Co-ordination Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani said that such cowardly acts would not deter "our resolve to achieve our goals". The house was adjourned to meet again on Friday at 10am.