The National Assembly (NA) on Tuesday adopted a unanimous resolution to condemn the unprovoked attacks by Indian military on Pakistani check posts and civilians along the Line of Control (LoC).
Initially, the government wanted to avoid the matter as United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was due in the Parliament House in the evening.
However, the opposition supported the demand of Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed who, soon after the start of the session, raised the matter on a point of order and urged the House to adopt a unanimous resolution in this regard.
He sought permission from the National Assembly speaker to present draft of the resolution. However, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanvir Hussain objected and said that the draft should be finalised unanimously and then presented.
Opposition leader Khursheed Shah opined that a motion should be moved to suspend the business and then a debate should be started. In the meantime, parliamentary leaders from all parties would fianlise the draft. However, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq wanted that there was no need for suspension of rules and rather the debate may be started and a joint resolution draft may be worked out meanwhile.
PML-N chief whip Sheikh Aftab claims that he had requested Rasheed to postpone the resolution until Thursday as the UN secretary-general was in the city. However, the opposition succeeded in getting the resolution draft passed. The resolution was moved by Science and Technology Minister Zahid Hamid which was endorsed unanimously.
The resolution reads, “This House unanimously condemns the unprovoked aggression by Indian military forces across the Line of Control in recent days. It also condemns the attacks on the Pakistan High Commission and the demonstrations outside the PIA offices in New Delhi, and the efforts to prevent the Friendship bus from proceeding to Pakistan. It deplores the unjustified public vilification of Pakistan in the Indian media.”
The resolution also called upon the government to clearly convey to the Indian government to respect and uphold the Ceasefire Agreement 2003.
“This House also reiterates that Pakistan shall continue to extend diplomatic, political and moral support for the just and legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for the realization of their right to self-determination, as enshrined in the UN Security Council Resolutions.”
The resolution added that the House forcefully reiterates that while Pakistan is committed to working for peace with its neighbours, it remains steadfast in its resolve to fully defend its sovereignty, territorial borders and national interests.
“It salutes its brave and valiant armed forces and assures them of its fullest support in achieving this objective”.
Opening debate, Rasheed called upon the government and the National Assembly to send a strong and unanimous message to India and resolve to defend every inch of motherland.
“India has not accepted Pakistan since its independence. We have been prime target of its notorious diplomacy and it also wants role in Afghanistan,” he said speaking on the motion.
He alleged that India is involved in terrorism in Pakistan and is assisting and funding terrorists.
“Indian intelligence agency, RAW, is also involved in numerous anti-state activities in Pakistan and there are ample proofs that attacks on Kamra and Mehran bases and other installations had benefitted India.”
PTI deputy parliamentary leader Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan wants peace and good relations with India and it has reopened back channel diplomacy through the prime minister’s special envoy Shaharyar Khan.
“Stable and sustained relations with India are in favour of both the countries but Indian response to Pakistani gestures is aggressive,” Qureshi added.
PPP MNA Nafisa Shah urged the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to take notice of attacks by Indian protesters on Pakistani High Commission and “Dosti Bus” in violation of the UN resolutions.
