Daily Times

Majlis al-Shura of Oman Chairman Khalid bin Hilal Nasser al Maawali on Tuesday said that the Kashmir issue was an unfinished agenda of the partition of the subcontinent and needed immediate resolution.

He said that Sultanate-e-Oman fully supported the resolution of Kashmir issue in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions and aspiration of Kashmiri people. He expressed these views during his meeting with National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser at the Parliament House. A ten-member delegation of Omani Majlis al-Shura was also present during the meeting.

Speaker Asad Qaiser apprised the Chairman Majlis al-Shura about recent volatile situation in Indian occupied Kashmir. He said that unconstitutional move of Indian Government had deprived Kashmir people from their constitutional right besides creating war like situation in the Subcontinent. He said that life of residents of the Kashmir valley had been made miserable due to imposition of curfew. He said that resolution of Kashmir issue in accordance with United Nations Resolution was imperative for peace in the subcontinent. He also said that OIC should play its role for resolution of Kashmir Issue.

Highlighting the human rights violation led by Indian army in occupied Kashmir, the Speaker said that committing brutality by the use of pallet guns wounding women and children and killing thousands innocent Kashmiris was worst in the recent history. He further said that by imposing ban on the communication system, the government of India wanted to suppress the voices of Kashmir’s people. He further said that owing to long curfew, there was severe shortage of necessities of life including food and medicine etc. He stressed upon the international community to take notice of brutalities and violation of human rights led by Indian army in held Kashmir and should play active role immediately revoking the curfew.

The Speaker while talking to the delegation said that Pakistan attaches immense importance to its relations intertwined in historic bonds of religion, history and culture. He suggested for enhancing people to people and parliamentary contacts for further consolidating those ties. The Speaker suggested that Omani diplomatic mission in Islamabad could play its role for reinvigorating those ties through arranging parliamentary and business interaction. He said that immense potential existed in Pakistan in agriculture sector therefore; Omani investors may come and invest here. He informed the Omani Majlis al-Shura chairman about his initiative of appointing a Parliamentary committee on Agriculture products which was taking account of problem of agriculture and to suggest measures for resolution by the Executive. He said that quantum of Trade between both the countries does not commensurate the potential on both sides therefore, business communities on either side should focus on utilization of that potential.

Maawali said that Oman attaches immense importance to its relations with Pakistan and wants to further strengthen them though enhancing Parliamentary and economic cooperation. He agreed with the Speaker and suggested for exchange of trade delegations which could explore opportunities of possible cooperation in diverse fields. He also suggested for parliamentary staff to learn and share experiences.

Maawali inscribed his remarks in the visitor’s book placed in the National Assembly and also visited national Assembly Hall along with his Parliamentary delegation. Earlier the Speaker National Assembly welcomed the Omani Delegation on its arrival at Parliament House. Maawali also planted a sampling of Magnolia Grandiflora in the lawn of Parliament House and prayed for progress and prosperity Muslim Ummah.