Assembly voices concern over Mideast conflict

House passes resolutions on Imran cases, inflation; urges global peace efforts

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East and urged the international community to play an active role in restoring peace in the region.

The session was chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and it was held at Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, during which treasury members tabled and secured approval for several resolutions. Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam moved a resolution highlighting the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, particularly expressing alarm over tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Speaking on the floor, the minister condemned what he termed aggression against Iran and claimed that the conflict had resulted in the loss of over a hundred senior leaders, including Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Another resolution, presented by Dr Hameed, focused on the legal cases against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The House expressed concern over what it described as unnecessary and prolonged delays in the proceedings, stating that such delays violate Article 10-A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair trial. The resolution called upon the Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court to fix these cases for daily hearings on a priority basis to ensure swift justice.

In addition, the assembly adopted a separate resolution demanding immediate provision of adequate medical facilities to Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, stressing that access to healthcare is a fundamental right.

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information, Shafi Jan, said the session allowed citizens to directly witness the performance of their elected representatives, marking a significant step toward transparency and public engagement.

During his speech, Shafi Jan strongly criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party, stating that despite ruling Sindh for 17 years, the province continues to struggle with governance, healthcare, education, and infrastructure challenges. Quoting a report by Transparency International, he claimed corruption levels stand at 46 per cent in Sindh and 39 per cent in Punjab.

The House also took up the issue of rising inflation, particularly the increasing prices of petroleum products. A resolution presented by MPA Dr. Amjad criticized the federal government for failing to control fuel prices, stating that the surge has placed an unbearable burden on the public and contributed significantly to the cost-of-living crisis.

The session concluded with a collective call for urgent measures to address both domestic economic challenges and international conflicts, emphasizing the need for justice, relief, and stability.