Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Legislators in the Lower House of parliament on Monday passed a unanimous resolution deploring the continuous silence of the international community on the ongoing rights violations perpetrated by Indian forces in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK).

Condemning the brutalities of occupation forces, the lawmakers expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri brethren in their just struggle for their right to self-determination in line with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The opposition claimed that successive government in Pakistan had failed to raise the Kashmir issue at the international forum properly and consistently. They said that the Indian government, however, addressed the dispute properly at the global level and declared it a territorial dispute between the two countries. The parliamentarians also claimed that former president Pervez Musharraf’s policy on Kashmir had badly damaged the Kashmir cause.

The resolution moved by Minister for Kashmir Affair Barjees Tahir extended political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris in their just struggle. The resolution rejected the ridiculous Indian claim that Kashmir was an integral part of India, as the country itself took the issue to the United Nations as a dispute between the two sovereign states. The resolution condemned the human rights violations perpetrated by India forces in IHK that resulted in martyrdom of thousands of Kashmiris. It described the use of pellet guns “to deliberately blind unarmed Kashmiris” a clear violation of international conventions. It saluted the valiant Kashmiris for continuing their struggle for their right to self-determination, as promised by the United Nations.

The resolution called upon the United Nations Security Council to take concrete steps for implementation of its resolutions for granting right to self-determination to the Kashmiris. It called upon the international community to take notice of the gravity of the situation and urge India to respect human rights and the right to self-determination. The resolution called upon the United Nations Military Observer Group in Pakistan and India to fulfil its mandated task.

Taking part in a discussion on the Kashmir issue, the members said that India “cannot suppress the voice of Kashmiris through the use of brutal force”. They said that the sacrifices of the Kashmiris would not go waste, and “a day will dawn when Kashmir would be liberated from Indian bondage”.

Kashmir Committee Chairman Fazlur Rehman said that peace in South Asia was linked to settlement of the Kashmir dispute. “The way to peace in the entire region passes through Kashmir.”

On the other hand, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Nafisa Shah said it was the oldest issue at the UN forum. She suggested that the Kashmiri leadership should be engaged in talks.

Dr Shireen Mazari said Pakistan could not follow up on the Kashmir issue properly. Jamshed Dasti said that the premier should have been present in the House to give full support to the Kashmir cause. Several others parliamentarians also took part in the debate. Meanwhile, the opposition members walked out of the House in protest against the attack on PPP leader Shaukat Basra in Punjab.

On the other hand, the National Assembly unanimously passed “The Companies Bill, 2016”. Law Minister Zahid Hamid moved the bill, which provides for reforming and re-enacting the law relating to companies and allied matters.

Speaking on the bill, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that it had been prepared in line with the best international practices. He thanked all the stakeholders for their cooperation in finalisation of the bill. He said that work was also underway on the electoral reforms.

He said the final report of the Committee on Electoral Reforms would be presented in the House during the next session.

The National Assembly also passed “The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016”, which paves the way for amending certain laws. It was moved by Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan. The assembly also passed “The Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill, 2016”, allowing amendments to Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953.