ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Interior Thursday demanded the United Nations (UN) and Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) take effective measures to emphasise on the US to withdraw announcement of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The committee, chaired by Senator Rehman Malik, said the move was against UN’s own resolution and the decision of International Court of Justice, while majority members of Security Council had already declared Jerusalem as disputed land.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, senators, including Mir Isralluah Khan Zehri, Sardar Fateh Muhammad Hassani, Rubina Khalid, Muhammad Ali Khan Saif, and representatives of Ministry of Interior, Islamabad police and Law and Justice Division attended the meeting.
In a resolution passed unanimously, the committee strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s decision of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
It said Muslim Ummah was facing terrorism across the world, particularly in the Middle East, and Pakistan was the worst victim of terrorism.
The resolution said there was a dire need for interfaith harmony, and Trump’s decision had hurt the process of interfaith harmony which would dent world’s efforts towards peace.
The meeting also condemned terror attack on Army vehicle in North Waziristan on December 12, in which Second Lieutenant and Sepoy were martyred.
The committee paid tribute to martyrs of the nation, prayed for their departed souls and expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathies to their families.
Expressing concern over non-participation of Council of Islamic Ideology, Rehman Malik said the presence of its representative should be ensured in the next meeting.
With regard to the protection of witnesses under Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2017, a sub-committee, headed by Senator Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif was formed which would present its report within the next two weeks.
With regard to National Action Plan (NAP), Rehman Malik said its full implementation should be ensured.
The meeting considered issue regarding the disappearance of Pak-Turk school teachers and asked the interior ministry to provide documentation of registration of Turkish schools and details of Turkish teachers living in Pakistan.
Renowned lawyer Asma Jehangir briefed the meeting about Turkish citizens living in Pakistan.
