Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution in favour of Rohingya Muslims and against the human rights violations being committed by the government of Myanmar.

The resolution moved by Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid deplored the systematic and organised destruction of villages and homes of Rohingya Muslims.

Earlier, a discussion on a motion in this regard was held for more than two hours on Wednesday, in which fourteen lawmakers participated, who criticised the atrocities being committed against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

The resolution passed by lower house of the parliament conveyed a deepest sympathy and condolence to the victims of ongoing brutalities in Myanmar and their families. It reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Rohingya Muslims for the realization of their civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights. By recalling the charter of the United Nations and previous resolutions passed by its General Assembly on the situation of Rohingya Muslims, the National Assembly of Pakistan urges the international community especially the human rights council to force Myanmar to ensure the realization of the rights of Rohingya Muslims, investigate the incident of human rights violations and hold the perpetrators accountable for such violations.

The resolution further urges the international community to provide the human assistance to Rohingya Muslims.

The Senate has already passed a similar resolution in this regard whereas the ambassador of Myanmar was also called to the Foreign Office. A strong protest of the government and people of Pakistan against the ongoing violence against the Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine state in Myanmar was conveyed in this meeting.

Taking part in the debate, former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan criticised the government for its silence over the issues of Rohingya Muslims and a recent drone attack in the country.

He lashed out at his own party’s government for maintaining silence on important issues and criticised the government in backdrop of a reported drone attack in Kurram Agency along the border with Afghanistan on September 15. “Drone attacks are unacceptable. They are a challenge and a big mark on our sovereignty and independence,” he said, adding that Pakistan government even did not bother to formally condemn the missile attack.” Targeting the PM, he said, “We did not need to show courtesy with United State but our PM held a courtesy meeting with US ambassador rather than condemning the drone strike.”

Speaking on the resolution about Rohingya Muslims, he also hit at the PML-N government as well as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for inaction over the genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

Nisar was of the view that IOC is a worthless body and should be disbanded; however, he said that a special meeting of OIC should be held on the issue.

He suggested the government to establish fund for Rohingya Muslims and urged lawmakers to personally raise money for the relief and rehabilitation of refugees.

Published in Daily Times, September 21^st 2017.