The joint session of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) Legislative Assembly and AJ&K Council paid rich tribute and hailed efforts of President Asif Ali Zardari for successfully achieving an agreement between Pakistan and Iran on the gas pipeline, saying it would not only strengthen the economy of Pakistan but also help overcome the current energy crisis.
The joint session started on Friday chaired by AJ&K Legislative Assembly Speaker Sardar Ghulam Sadiq Khan.
Through several resolutions passed by the joint session of the House, it was stated that the Pak-Iran gas pipeline agreement would bring prosperity in Pakistan and would consolidate bilateral ties between the two countries.
Speaking on his resolution, Minister for Education Colleges Matloob Inqalabi said a prosperous and fortified Pakistan was a better custodian of the rights of Kashmiris.
In another resolution presented by Minister for Environment Shazia Akbar, efforts of President Zardari where appreciated and it was observed that the agreement would add to the prosperity of the country and a strong Pakistan would advocate Kashmir’s case more forcefully.
The House unanimously condemned the judicial murder of Muhammad Afzal Guru in Tehar Jail, India. The resolution by the leader of Opposition Raja Farooq Haider said the brutal act would revive the freedom movement of Kashmiris.
He made clear that such cowardly acts could not quash the voice and aspirations of Kashmiri people. The House expressed hope that all such innocent killings and other human rights violations would be noticed by the international community and the United Nations (UN) which would pressurise India.
Members of the legislative assembly and AJ&K council also denounced the attack on JKLF chairman Yasin Malik on an airport by Shivsina activists.
Meanwhile, the House demanded UN to implement its resolutions on Kashmir and give Kashmiris their right to self-determination through a free, fair and transparent plebiscite.
The joint session expressed gratitude to all peace loving countries for their unwavering support to Kashmiris, especially the Islamic world that provided consistent backing to their Kashmiri brethren.
Through another resolution tabled by Faisal Mumtaz Rathor, the minister AKLAS, faith was reaffirmed to combat internal and external conspiracies hatched against Pakistan.
Condemning terrorism and extremism in Pakistan, it was indicated that the battle would be fought with unity for the betterment and development of Pakistan to make it a real welfare state as dreamed by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
Reproving the recent terrorist attacks in Baldia Town, Abbas Town, and assault on Hazara community in Balochistan and Christians in Badami Bagh, condolences were expressed on causalities of innocent people and sympathies extended to the bereaved families.
The government of Pakistan, its political leadership, specifically President Asif Ali Zardari was given a huge applause for keeping democracy intact and successfully completing a five-year democratic tenure.
