Assembly stands tall with Kashmiris

House passes three resolutions to express solidarity

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly unanimously passed three resolutions related to Youm-e-Istehsal. A minute’s silence was also observed as an expression of solidarity with Kashmiris. At the end of the meeting, a special walk was conducted to mark the occasion.

The resolutions were presented by Jalal Khan of PML-N, Sher Ali Afridi of PTI and Abdul Salam Afridi. In the resolutions, it was said that in 1948, India occupied Kashmir despite the fact that region was to be part of Pakistan under the partition plan of 1947.

The house observed a Black Day and paid homage to the thousands of Kashmiris who sacrificed their lives for the right to self-determination over the decades. It recognised that Kashmiris are standing like a wall against Indian oppression.

It was stated that Pakistan supports the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination on every forum. On the occasion, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati said the day’s agenda was centred around Youm-e-Istehsal when on August 5, 2019, India violated the UN resolutions by abrogating Article 370.

He said they will stand tall for Kashmiris until the people of the region are granted their rights. Following these speeches, the assembly unanimously approved the three resolutions. While expressing her views in the House, Rehana Ismail, a woman MPA of JUI-F. said the Muslim Ummah was silent over the issue of Kashmir.

“Until the Muslim Ummah stands up, these atrocities will not end. We have to strengthen our foreign policy. We are sitting here to express solidarity. We will not tolerate atrocities there.” Meanwhile, another member of the house, Asima Alam, said that Kashmiris have continuously been protesting for four years. “The Pakistani government and the people are standing with them in their struggle.”

Turning the house’s attention back to the home front, Arbab Usman said that Pakistan had played a great role in the world. “We can become strong economically if we make decisions in national interest. The United States always supports the Jews because their economy is related to them. America considers itself to be the bearer of human rights, but it is the one who commits the most violations.”

He pointed out that poor governance was the main cause of Pakistan’s problems. He added that until the masses questioned these mistakes, issues will not be resolved.

After a minute's silence was observed to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people, treasury member Fazl Elahi, continuing his speech, said that media was banned in Kahsmir and a curfew had been imposed. He believed this was a clear indicator of the gross human rights violations being committed in the region.