Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The volume of country’s debts have reached Rs 1,340.30 billion out of which Rs 58.34 billion are foreign debts up till the end of May this year.

This was told to the Senate during question hour on Tuesday. The government took a loan of Rs 15.89 billion during fiscal year 2016-17 whereas Rs 9.74 billion would be taken in next two years as debt.

The house was informed that the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) had issued loans of Rs 360 billion during last five years and not even a single penny was written off by the bank during the said period.

Meanwhile, the Senate on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution to pay salute to the martyred of September 1965 War, who gave sacrifices of their lives for the country’s defence.

The resolution was moved by Leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq, expressing acknowledgment of the commitment and determination of Pakistan Army for the safety and solidarity of Pakistan.

The House, through the resolution, said that the Indian army crossed international borders of Pakistan on September 6, 1965, but that time the entire nation was united and the spirit was unprecedented. “The biggest lesson learnt from the event was that a nation united can never be defeated,” the resolution said.

It added that the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir were struggling for their right of self-determination. The resolution said the complete elimination of terrorism from the country would lead to economic self-sufficiency.

Later, participating in the debate to pay homage to the martyred of 1965 War, Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi said, on that day, the Pakistan Army fought with great determination and courage, and repulsed every attack of the enemy with considerable losses to the Indians.

He said although the Pakistani force was smaller in number than India’s, yet its soldiers were highly motivated and that was the reason that it defeated India, which the latter would never forget.

He said September 6, 1965 attack was a cowardly attack by India, but its feelings of pride were hurt after receiving strong setback from Pakistani forces.

Senator Lt Gen (r) Salahuddin Tarmazi said September 6, 1965 was one of the most important days in the history of Pakistan, as on that day, every citizen was firmly united and behind the Pakistan Army to defeat the Indian troops.