Parliament passes unanimous resolution against Indian aggression

Islamabad: Joint session of the parliament on Friday passed a unanimous resolution strongly condemning the blatant Indian aggression of 26th and 27th of February against Pakistan describing it in complete violation of UN Charter and the international law. The resolution moved by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi completely rejected India’s self-serving and fictitious claims of having destroyed alleged terrorist facility and causing heavy casualties. The resolution pointed out that facts on the grounds clearly contradict India’s false claim and so have been testified by independent observers. The resolution noted that timely and effective action of Pakistan Air force repulsed the Indian attack without loss of life and property. It said that India’s baseless allegations against Pakistan in the wake of Pulwama attack were politically motivated and points out that the Indian government’s subsequent action has been guided by its electoral calculations. The resolution recalled the statements of heads of all political parties and the prime minister’s statement of 19th February 2019 offering Pakistan’s assistance to India in investigation of Pulwama attack and to take action on actionable intelligence or evidence. It emphasized India’s irresponsible and reckless actions of 26th and 27th February seriously imperiled peace and stability in South Asia. The resolution also recalled statements of the national security committee meeting authorizing the armed forces of Pakistan to respond to any act of aggression decisively and comprehensively. It further recalled the statement issued after the special session of nationals security committee on 26th February which made it clear that India had committed uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing. The resolution affirmed that the entire Pakistani nation stands united in support of armed forces of Pakistan. The resolution reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to respond effectively and in a befittingly manner to Indian aggression illustrated by actions taken on 27th February which demonstrated Pakistan’s right, will and capability for self-deference. The resolution called upon the international community and the United Nations Security Council to condemn in an unambiguous manner the highly Indian government’s highly irresponsible actions escalating the tension to a new level and seriously endangering peace and stability in the region. . The parliament welcomed strong condemnation by the OIC contract group on Jammu and Kashmir over recent wave of oppression and atrocities by the Indian occupation forces in occupied Kashmir. The resolution also welcomed OIC’s condemnation over the violation of the line of control by the Indian military aircraft. It noted with deep disapprobation that after India has attacked Pakistan, a founding member of the OIC that India an aggressor against Pakistan as well as the Kashmiri people has been invited as a guest of honor at the OIC meeting in Abu Dhabi. It demanded that Pakistan abstain and occupied has been invited as guest of honor and demands that Pakistan abstains completely under protest from the said meeting. Strongly condemning the Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir and arrest of Kashmiri leaders, the resolution rejected the India’s attempt to protect the legitimate the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination as terrorism. The resolution reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute, pending on the agenda of UNSC due to Indian intransigence. It underscored that a just and peaceful solution of Kashmir dispute is an unfinished agenda of the partition of India and essential for durable peace and stability in the region. The resolution called upon India to put an immediate halt to continued Human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and implement the UNSC resolutions on Kashmir calling for an impartial plebiscite to determine the future of Kashmir. The resolution echoed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s call to avoid further escalation and urged the parliament of India to support the call by this joint session of Pakistani parliament for de-escalation and dialogue between India and Pakistan. Speaking at the joint session of the Parliament in Islamabad on Friday, Foreign Minister Qureshi says he will not participate in the OIC meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers, being held in Abu Dhabi today, where Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has been invited as a guest of honor. He said the decision has been taken keeping in view the sentiments of the House. Qureshi however said a Pakistani delegation of lower level officials will attend the meeting to defend Pakistan’s several resolutions on the Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir. He said Pakistan will also oppose if any attempt was made to give observer status to India. The Foreign Minister said he wrote letters to UAE leadership including the one yesterday to reiterate our request to rescind the invitation extended to India. He said we also made it clear that Pakistan will not participate if Indian External Affairs Minister attended the meeting. The Foreign Minister said that Pakistan and UAE have longstanding relations and the brotherly country has always stood by Pakistan in difficult times. He said the point of view of UAE leadership was that the invitation extended to the Indian External Minister was much before the Pulwama incident. Qureshi said that Turkey which is also an important member of OIC also termed the invitation to Indian External Affairs Minister as unacceptable and said that they will play their role in this regard. Briefing the House about his contacts with different world leaders, the Foreign Minister said the UN Security General has made an offer for mediation between the two countries. He said Pakistan has no objection to it. He invited the UN Security General to visit Pakistan and the region, and witness himself the situation and play his role to defuse it. He said his Russian counterpart has also offered to play the role of a platform for talks between Pakistan and India. He said Pakistan is ready for talks to deescalate the situation. The Foreign Minister also welcomed the remarks made by the US President Donald Trump’s that his country will play its role to defuse the tension between Pakistan and India. Qureshi said Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced to release Indian pilot as a peace gesture yesterday and he will be handed over the Indian authority at Wagha Border later, today. He strongly condemned the war hysteria created by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said Modi is so desperate that he can do anything to get re-elected. He said the Opposition Parties in India are themselves are criticizing the Modi for using Military and the killings of its personnel for political purpose. Taking the floor, Opposition Leader Shahbaz Sharif appreciated the foreign Minister for respecting the sentiments of the House and deciding not to attend the OIC meeting. He described it as a good decision but stressed that we should also impress upon our friendly countries to stop the Indian External Affairs Minister to attend the meeting. The house has started discussion on the prevailing external threats against Pakistan by India. Taking part in the debate, Leader of House in Senate Shibli Faraz Pakistan said that Pakistan Air Force’s response to the Indian aggression has proved that our armed forces are fully prepared to defend the homeland. He said Pakistan has always played a responsible role for peace and stability in the region. He however, regretted that Modi Junta is cultivating the seeds of hate and violence. He said India has always interfered and perpetrated terrorism in other countries. He said India should shun war mongering and pursue the course of diplomacy for resolution of all outstanding disputes including that of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari applauded the squadron leader of Pakistan Air force who shot down the Indian aircraft. He said that the Pakistani pilot is a hero of the nation. Asif Ali Zardari also welcomed the decision to release the Indian pilot saying time warrants soft diplomacy. He said this will also help build positive image of the country. Agha Hassan Baloch said that Pakistan and India both are nuclear states and any conflict between them will have disastrous consequences for the region. Sherry Rehman of PPP said Modi is spiking escalation to win the election. He said the aggressive posture of India stands exposed before the world. Finance Minister Asad Umar said that Pakistan has always tried to ensure peace and stability in the region. He said India through its belligerence cannot cow down Pakistan. He said India is also facing failure in Occupied Kashmir. He said that it is a matter of great satisfaction that our political forces stand united at this critical juncture while clear wedge is visible in the ranks of Indian political forces. The Finance Minister said Pakistan’s economy is strong enough to defend the country’s sovereignty. He said despite tension in relation with India, our economic indicators remained positive during the last week. He said that exports witnessed an upsurge while the stock market is also seeing bullish trend. Khawaja Asif of PML-N said Pakistan being the founder of member of OIC has taken the right decision not to attend the meeting of Foreign Ministers’ Council. He said we should not at all sit at the forums where India is invited especially after its aggression against Pakistan and the gross Human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir.