Unanimous resolution: Parliament seeks global probe into IoK abuses

Government’s ‘flawed’ foreign policy draws opposition's flak

ISLAMABAD: The two houses of parliament on Friday called for an international inquiry into unabated rights abuses in Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK) in a session marked by thin attendance and punctuated by scathing criticism of the government’s foreign policy ‘failures’.

At the same time however, the joint sitting of parliament also renewed Pakistan’s commitment to a “meaningful and result-oriented dialogue” with India to resolve all outstanding issues, especially the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a resolution unanimously approved by both sides of the aisle reminded the international community of its commitment to resolve the festering dispute over the Himalayan region in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

Around 100 Kashmiris have been killed and thousands injured by Indian security forces in their use of brute force to quell an insurrection sparked off by the killing of a young popular Kashmiri separatist leader, Burhan Wani, on July 8.

In the resolution, moved by the prime minister’s top foreign policy aide Sartaj Aziz, the treasury and opposition lawmakers also condemned India’s ‘interference and sponsorship of terrorism’ in Pakistan and recommended that the arrest of Indian spy Kulbushan Jadhav be raised at the United Nations.

It also condemned the recent unprovoked Indian aggression along the Line of Control (LoC) and India’s threat to run Pakistan dry by revoking the Indus Waters Treaty 1960.

The third day proceedings of the joint sitting were marked by significantly low attendance, especially of government lawmakers. When the resolution was adopted only 85 MPs, or 19% of the total strength of the house were present.

The government’s foreign policy earned biting criticism from opposition benches. MPs criticised the government for ‘flawed’ foreign policy, saying ‘traditional diplomacy’ on Kashmir would not yield any results.

They stressed the need for parliament to take lead and redefine ‘national interests’. If the current arrangement persists and parliament is not given supremacy, then the Kashmir issue will take another 100 years to settle, they added.

“Pakistan is currently in a state of delusion and confusion over the issue of Kashmir. We think the Kashmir issue can never slip through Pakistan’s fingers,” said PPP Senator Sherry Rehman.

“Sending some representatives to foreign countries to present Pakistan’s case over Kashmir, or a mere speech at the UN General Assembly by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in an apologetic tone will not be considered Pakistan’s foreign policy at any level,” she added. She advised the government to learn from former president Asif Ali Zardari the art of diplomacy.

“The foreign ministry and diplomats are considered the first line of defence but unfortunately we have failed at this front,” Sherry said. “If there is a gap, something will fill in that gap,” she said apparently referring to the military taking over the Kashmir issue in the absence of concrete steps from the civilian government.

The PPP senator questioned what steps Pakistan has taken thus far to counter the Indians, who are preparing to use water as a weapon.  “Water cannot be used as an instrument in war,” she said, asking the government if it has taken up the matter at any forum.

“Don’t be afraid and appoint a full-time foreign minister,” she said. Sherry thanked all the countries that supported Pakistan over the Kashmir issue and suggested that the government persuade other countries to back Pakistan on the issue.



As the resolution was adopted, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah drew the house attention towards the absence of the prime minister and his senior aides from the session.

“It would have been better if the prime minister and other senior ministers of the cabinet were present at a time when the house is passing such a significant resolution” he said.

Opposition leader in the Senate Aitzaz Ahsan once again raked up the arrest of Kulbushan Jadhav, saying he would donate Rs50,000 to a trust for blind if the prime minister uttered the Indian spy’s name from his mouth.

Senator Usman Kakar said if parliament was not given supremacy, then the issue of Kashmir would take another 100 years to settle. “If you [parliament] want to resolve the Kashmir issue, you will need to take the reins of foreign as well internal security policies and decision making in your hands,” Kakar advised his fellow legislators.

Senator Taj Haider said both countries should avoid war for betterment of their peoples. In the past, Pakistan’s military rulers had suggested solutions other than the right to self-determination which affected the Kashmir cause, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2016.