Punjab Assembly unites to back armed forces

MPAs agree that neighbouring country has committed cowardly act

LAHORE: Both the treasury and opposition MPAs were on the same page in their condemnation of Indian aggression in Pakistani airspace as they unanimously passed a resolution against it in Tuesday’s session.

PPP parliamentary leader Syed Hassan Murtaza requested PA Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari to suspend the question-answer session and sought permission to discuss the issue as it was a matter of Pakistan’s integrity.

Mazari, consequently, asked provincial law minister Raja Basharat who seconded Murtaza’s request.

The debate kicked off in the Punjab Assembly when MPAs discussed the bravery of the Pakistani armed forces and the cowardly Indian attack after former PTI senior minister Abdul Aleem Khan moved an out-of-turn resolution. The resolution condemned the Indian armed forces’ violation of international laws. The legislators vowed they would not let India succeed in promoting its vested interests.

The MPAs stressed that the Indian government was deceiving its population merely to gain votes as elections in the country were around the corner. They said India was hell-bent on maintaining a jingoistic mindset, but each and every one of its moves would be foiled.

The lawmakers stated the house understood that the Modi government was going on an adventure against Pakistan, merely to run its election campaign. They said India committed a cowardly act by attacking the Balakot area, but were left with no option other than escape when Pakistan’s brave air force retaliated. The MPAs said Pakistan was a peaceful country, which was now being forced to protect every nook and cranny.

The Punjab Assembly paid tribute to the Pakistani armed forces over its brave and timely retaliation. “This House also condemns the Indian violation of international laws.”

The MPAs demanded that the federal government take the matter to the United Nations and other international forums. They were certain that the Indian government was fully involved in the Pulwama attack.

Former Punjab Assembly speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan said the nation was united against India. He added Pakistan would retaliate in a manner which was beyond India’s imagination. “The nation is standing behind its armed forces and has complete confidence over their skill and bravery.” PPP Syed Hassan Murtaza, Punjab Minister for Prosecution Chaudhary Zaheeruddin and others also condemned the cowardly Indian attack.

Later, the absence of ministers enraged deputy speaker Mazari as nine out of ten resolutions were left pending. Mazari ordered that the salaries of those ministers, who failed to attend, be attached to responding to the resolutions.

“Why are these resolutions made part of the agenda when the ministers concerned are not serious about assembly’s business?” Mazari asked Raja Basharat. Basharat assured of the the presence of the ministers in the house. A resolution of PMLN’s Hina Pervez Butt was passed in which she demanded that the government take comprehensive measures to control the menace of drugs at public and private educational institutions. Later, the house was adjourned till 11am on Wednesday (today).