Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired a meeting of heads of parliamentary parties in the National Assembly in Islamabad Monday (today) to brief them about the prevailing situation in Indian-held Kashmir as well as the violations of the Line of Control (LoC).
The meeting has been convened with the one-point agenda to send a “clear message to the outside world” regarding what the government feels is continued Indian aggression along the LoC as well as Indian atrocities in held Kashmir.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif vowed to evolve a joint response on Kashmir issue. It called for establishment of a Parliamentary Committee on National Security and urged a solution for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif described Kashmiris and Pakistanis “inseparable” and said “relentless efforts” would be made to highlight the plight of Kashmiris at every international forum with the support of all political parties in the Parliament.
He said the meeting has made Pakistan strong and the Kashmir cause further stronger. “We stand united on matters of national importance, particularly the Kashmir Cause,” the Prime Minister said.
“I believe that Kashmir movement cannot be suppressed by the Indian brutalities any more,” the prime minister said.
He said the struggle of Kashmiris’ for their right to self determination was legitimate and mandated by the United Nations Security Council.
Briefing the participants of the meeting, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary said, “India is constantly violating the fundamental human rights of Kashmiris.”
“An escalation in the situation was witnessed following the killing of separatist leader Burhan Wani by Indian forces [on July 8],” he added.
Moreover, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in his remarks said despite differences on multiple issues, his party stands with the government on the Kashmir issue and Indian aggression on the Line of Control, a statement from the PM House quoted him as saying.
He termed it a “turning point” in Indo-Pakistan relations and said only a united Pakistan can counter Indian aggression.
He said his party would work along with the government to achieve national security objectives. There was no military solution to the Kashmir dispute, he added.
Bilawal also assured the Prime Minister of his full support on the issue and said he was willing to work with him in a “harmonious manner.”
Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi , after setting aside all differences with the government, has participated in the conference with a clear message to the world and India that “we all stand united in solidarity with the people of Kashmir,” according to the statement from the PM Office.
“Prime Minister, your speech at the United Nations General Assembly, was very comprehensive and praiseworthy,” the statement said.
He mentioned the very positive steps taken by the PML-N government immediately after coming into power for improvement of ties with India, however he regretted that these were not reciprocated by the Indian government.
Qureshi said it was India which violated all bilateral agreements with Pakistan in the past. “Today the unarmed and oppressed people of Kashmir have risen against the Indian atrocities. India fully knows there was no military solution to the Kashmir dispute, but was still continuing with aggression.”
He dispelled the impression that Pakistan was isolated at the diplomatic front and said in fact, it was India that boycotted the SAARC Summit, aimed at regional harmony and peace.
“Prime Minister, I have full faith in your political acumen and patriotism,” Qureshi said according to the statement.
Speaking on the Indus Waters Treaty, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said it was not even affected during the Kargil episode, and mentioned the irresponsible attitude of the Indian government on the issue.
He said keeping in view the current situation, his party, in national interests, would extend full support the government.
All parliamentary parties in the National Assembly, excluding Awami Muslim League, were invited to attend today’s meeting which will be held at PM House in order to evolve a joint response in view of the current situation at the LoC.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan came down hard on the government for not inviting AML chief Sheikh Rashid to the parliamentary huddle. “It reflects a petty and intolerant mindset,” he wrote on Twitter.
The Prime Minister himself welcomed the heads of all delegations as they arrived for the meeting.
Prime Minister Sharif also thanked the party leaders and representatives for their sincere suggestions. He said some very good suggestions were put forward and assured that his government would try to implement as much of these as possible.
The parliamentary leaders were briefed on the situation in Occupied Kashmir and on the Line of Control.
Chief of Jamaat-i-Islaami Siraj ul Haq congratulated the prime minister on organising the conference on the situation in LoC and added that the Prime Minister’s speech at the UN General Assembly reflected the emotions of the people.
He said “Under the present circumstances we are with the government, the military and the people.”
“We should give a single effective message in national interest,” he also stated.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman in his remarks stressed the need for forging national unity at this critical moment and said a collective voice and resolve of the entire nation was the need of the hour. He called for highlighting brutal state oppression in IOK, both at the political and diplomatic level.
He said today’s meeting has sent a very positive and constructive message the world over.
“Our stance on Kashmir reflects the sentiments of the nation and the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir, and it is a very principled stance,” he added.
He said prime minister’s initiative to send special envoys to important world capitals was commendable.
“Our political and diplomatic force needs to build upon the momentum generated by the recent Kashmiri uprising,” he said.
He said the decision of the prime minister for Joint Session of the Parliament was highly commendable and added it has been taken at an appropriate time.
The meeting was attended by Shah Mehmood Qureshi from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), GhulamAhmad Bilour of Awami National Party (ANP), Farooq Sattar and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-Pakistan), Siraj-ul-Haq and Sahibzada Tariq Ullah of Jamaat-e-Islami, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Khursheed Shah, Naved Qamar and Sherry Rehman of Pakistan People’s Party, Kamil Ali Agha of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and other leaders.
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