ISLAMABAD: Members of Parliament on Friday claimed that Pakistan’s foreign policy had totally failed diplomatically to raise the atrocities carried out by Indian forces in Occupied Kashmir. However, Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz claimed that the government had taken appropriate measures to raise the Kashmir cause at international forum, claiming that Pakistan had the potential to respond in befitting manner if India made any adventure.
The National Assembly suspended other agenda items and discussed a motion moved by Law and Justice and Climate Change Minister Zahid Hamid, in which he said, “This house may discuss the situation arising out of the Indian aggression on the Line of Control (LoC).”
Criticising the government, the opposition parliamentarians said the prime minister should take the House into confidence over the LoC situation, as innocent people were being killed by Indian forces. Keeping in view low attendance, the opposition legislators claimed that the attendance of ruling MPs showed “seriousness” of the government.
They said the Indian forces attacked civilians, ambulances and Pakistani forces, but regretted that the government had always pleaded for no war with India, which was ridiculous. Some of MPs said Indians had already began war against Pakistan but the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government still said war was not in interest of the country. The opposition members were of the view that Pakistan totally failed in making proper foreign policy to actively respond to India lobbing at international forum.
They also regretted that majority of the Pakistani diplomats were appointed on political bases that was why Pakistan failed to get response from other forums.
The National Assembly resumed its session with Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi in the chair. Initiating the debate, Naeema Kishwar Khan said India had started unannounced war on LoC which should be condemned by the whole world. She said durable peace in South Asia was impossible without resolution of Kashmir issue.
Shaikh Salahuddin stressed the need for revisiting the foreign policy in the wake of worsening situation on LoC due to Indian belligerence. He suggested that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should take up the matter with Indian Prime Minister to defuse the situation. Ghaus Bakhsh Mahar said India failed to suppress the Kashmiris’ struggle by force and resorted to unprovoked firing on LoC to divert attention. Shahida Rehmani strongly condemned unprovoked firing and shelling by Indian forces martyring Pakistani soldiers and civilians. She said India wanted to impose war on Pakistan.
Tahira Aurangzeb said there should be no political point scoring on the issue, adding that there should be only one message from the parliament that India should immediately stop atrocities and barbarism in Occupied Kashmir. Ghazi Gulab Jamal said that impression about India was increasing that it was an oppressor state. To suppress this impression, he added, India resorted to unprovoked firing on LoC to divert attention of international community. He appreciated the government for handling the situation in good manner.
Mussarat Ahmadzeb said Kashmir was a jugular vein of Pakistan. She said the entire nation was united on Kashmir issue, adding that protest should be lodged with the UN on ceasefire violations by India.
Ijazul Haq said the prime minister had forcefully highlighted Kashmir dispute at the UN. He saluted Kashmiris for continuing their freedom struggle sustaining the barbarity and atrocities of Indian forces. He said diplomatic efforts should be accelerated to expose India for its crimes against humanity.
Ayaz Soomro stressed tit for tat response to Indian aggression on LoC. He strongly condemned Indian firing on civil bus and ambulance. He said Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir should be highlighted in every country.
Malik Ibrar Ahmad said international community should take notice of atrocities being committed by Indian forces in Occupied Kashmir. Muhammad Kamal said hundreds of Kashmiris had been martyred in Occupied Kashmir during the last six months. He said solid strategy was needed to befittingly respond to Indian aggression.
Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz categorically stated that Pakistan would give a befitting response to Indian aggression. Winding up debate on LoC situation in the National Assembly, he said Pakistan was fully capable to defend country borders. He said, “We will not accept any Indian influence or hegemony under any circumstances.”
Aziz said India was heating up the situation on the Line of Control to deflect attention from its atrocities in Occupied Kashmir. He said the India attack on passenger bus and ambulance was the most regrettable incident contrary to all norms and principles.
He said Pakistan had written letters to the foreign ministers of P-5 countries to apprise them about the Indian aggression on the civilians. He said Pakistan had never targeted civilians but the Indian side was deliberately targeting them to escalate the situation.
On the diplomatic front, the advisor said Pakistan was forcefully raising the Kashmir dispute at all international forums, adding that the country would continue to support the Kashmiris right to self-determination which was totally indigenous in nature and led by the Kashmiri youth.
Sartaj Aziz, however, said that Pakistan would continue to pursue the policy of peaceful neighbourhood. “We are ready for dialogue with India on the condition that Kashmir dispute is also included in it.”
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in his remarks said that Pakistan’s armed forces are fully prepared to defend every inch of the motherland. “We are fully capable to defend our waters, land and air frontiers.”
Hundreds of people have embraced martyrdom and lost their eyesight while braving Indian atrocities, he said, adding that that India could not afford the success of Kashmir freedom movement as it would be the end of India. He said several separatist movements were continuing in India and if the Kashmir movement reached its logical conclusion, other movements there would also achieve success.
Khawaja Asif said that India was supporting terrorism in Pakistan for the last many years but Pakistani forces over the last two years have broken the back of their terrorists.
