NA passes resolution supporting Kashmiris’ struggle for their right to self-determination

The National Assembly on Thursday passed a unanimous resolution supporting the just struggle of the Kashmiris for their right to self-determination.

The resolution‚ moved by JUI-F leader Fazlur Rehman‚ expressed grave concern over the situation in Indian-held Kashmir after the execution of Afzal Guru and demanded his body be handed over to his heirs.

It called upon India to stop brutalities in the IHK‚ “end draconian laws‚ release all the illegally detained Kashmiris and allow human rights organizations to visit the territory”.

It also called upon the United Nations to implement the resolution of the Security Council.

Earlier, MANs lauded the government for completing its five-year parliamentary tenure and the role of both opposition and ruling parties, hoping that the country would have a bright political future of democratic dispensation continues.

The House suspended routine agenda and Speaker Fehmida Mirza allowed the members to share their experiences they had during the last five years while being members of the House.

Opening the discussion, Riaz Hussain Pirzada lauded the fact that parliament had completed its five-year parliamentary term and the role of senior parliamentarians in holding “fruitful debates on national and international issues”.

Pirzada also praised the PML-N as the main opposition party and thanked the people of his own constituency for reposing confidence in him.

Abdur Rashid Godil said despite the passage of five years, the country’s economy could not flourish as the number of tax payers was on the decline and currently only 0.62 million people paid taxes.

Sardar Mehtab Abbasi said though the government had completed five years in office, “unfortunately, we could not deliver much for the resolution of the people’s problems”.

However, he said the elections were nearing and the people would get a chance to fairly elect their representatives on the basis of transparency and performance.

He said during the period, the country remained in the grip of terror and financial burden and the government did not take the suggestions made by the opposition parties seriously.

Abbasi said Karachi and Balochistan had suffered the most where not only hundreds of innocent people were killed but the industrial sector also suffered.

Taking part in the discussion‚ Yasmeen Rehman said direction set by the parliament would go a long way in the legislative history of the country. She said parliament promoted the democratic process.

Bushra Rehman said this was the first parliament that had completed five years in a democratic way.

She paid tribute to the parliamentarians, particularly women parliamentarians and the NA speaker, for their vital role in the business of the House.

Fazl said all the political parties had unanimous views regarding the parliamentary system, adding that “this system needs to be strengthened”.

Member of the Standing Committee on Capital Administration and Development Riaz Fatyana, on behalf of chairman of the committee, presented before the House a report on The National Institute of Science and Technical Education (Islamabad) Bill‚ 2012.

Special Committee on Energy Crisis Engineer Chairman Usman Khan Tarakai presented before the House a report with reference to the motion adopted by the House to look into the reasons leading to the current power crisis in the country and proposed steps to alleviate power shortage.

Member of the Special Committee on Media Personnel Engineer Khurram Dastagir presented a report with reference to the motion adopted by the House to investigate the issue of threats to journalists and media personnel.