Parliamentarians demand withdrawal of presidential medal given to Suu Kyi

Senate, NA human rights panel heads decry ‘genocide’, call for boycott of Myanmar

KARACHI: The heads of the Senate and National Assembly standing committees for human rights have demanded that the PM rescind a presidential medal given to Aung San Suu Kyi – the head of Myanmar’s ruling party and the de facto leader of the country – due to her failure to control or even condemn the genocide in her country.

They also called for setting up a special fund to help the Rohingya seeking refuge in Bangladesh, suspending diplomatic relations with Myanmar, boycotting Myanmarese goods, and to contact the OIC and the UN to find an immediate solution to the problem.

Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights Chairperson Nasreen Jalil told Express that the genocide of Rohinya Muslims has intensified in recent days and Pakistan should end trade with Myanmar in response, taking a cue from the Maldives, which has already done so.



She said that Bangladesh is refusing to accept Burmese refugees because it cannot afford the economic burden, so Muslim countries should step in to help them. The Pakistan government should adopt a specific policy regarding the murderous rampage and should take parliament into confidence while forming this policy, she added.

National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights Chairperson Babar Nawaz Khan told Express that meetings with diplomats were continuing regarding the Myanmar government’s atrocities against its Muslims minority. Next week, a meeting of the members of the standing committee will be convened, he said, while also praising Maldives for taking the lead.



Former president Asif Zardari had awarded a presidential award for bravery to Aung San Suu Kyi, but her silence on the massacre is of great concern, he said, adding that the double standard of western nations is obvious.

He said he was sure that if the government appeals for funds for Rohingya Muslims, they will collect tens of millions of dollars within days.