Global issues: PUIC moot discusses terrorism, regional peace

Awais Leghari highlights Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism, extremism

ISLAMABAD: Call to control terrorism, establish peace in Palestine and Kashmir and support efforts for better health and education facilities in Muslim nations echoed at the 34th executive committee of the Parliamentary Union of Islamic Countries (PUIC) which opened at the National Assembly on Monday.

Murtaza Javed Abbasi, the acting speaker of the National Assembly, inaugurated the session that was chaired by Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari.

Parliamentarians from Algeria, Azerbaijan, Chad, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Iran, Iraq, Kingdom of Morocco, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE and Uganda attended the meeting. PUIC Secretary General Dr Mahmud Erol Kilic and officials from PUIC secretariat were present in the meeting.

Leghari in his speech highlighted that the scourge of terrorism continues to haunt the world and stressed upon the international community to join hands to develop a coherent strategy to counter extremism. He said that Pakistan has been braving the onslaught of global terrorism for almost two decades.

Leghari said that unresolved issues of an independent state of Palestine and right of self-determination of people of Kashmir in accordance with UN resolutions are test cases for the world conscience.

On the other hand, he lamented unprovoked firing along the Line of Control and Working Boundary by Indian forces. He reiterated Pakistan’s desire of peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Leghari said that the Muslim fraternity should shift its focus to issues of poverty, illiteracy, hunger, disease and climate change.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th,  2015.