News
Wednesday, August 29, 2012Govt asked to take ‘effective measures’ against drones
* Resolutions demand federal government act against drone attacks, Muslim killings in Myanmar
Staff Report
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly on Tuesday passed two resolutions – one slamming US drone strikes in the Tribal Areas and the other expressing solidarity with the Muslim community in Myanmar.
PML-N parliamentary leader Pir Sabir Shah tabled the resolution relating to Myanmar while JUI-F MPA Mufti Kifayatullah moved the resolution against drone strikes.
The resolution moved by Kifayatullah demanded that the federal government take “effective measures” to stop these strikes which are not only violating sovereignty of the country but also killing “innocent tribesmen”.
The government, it read, should take “serious note of drone attacks because a number of innocent people have fallen victim to them and such strikes are causing unrest among people”.
The debate on drone strike was initiated by PML-Q MPA Nighat Orakzai on Monday who, while speaking on a point-of-order, diverted attention of the House towards this issue.
PML-N MPA Javed Abbasi said whenever the government raises voice against drone strikes through the Foreign Office, Washington increases such attacks. He demanded that the federal government make public the agreement with the US on drone strikes.
“The government cannot hide such agreements and a day will come when the public will know the agreement between the US and our government over drone strikes.”
The PML-N MPA said the armed forces had ability to shoot down drones carrying out strikes if the government gave green signal. “Who is not giving permission to the air force in this regard?” he questioned.
Ruling PPP MPA Abdul Akbar Khan also supported MPAs who were speaking against drone strikes and said his party was also against such attacks.
Senior KP Minister Bashir Bilour said the government “fully agrees with the viewpoints of assembly members and jointly condemns drone strikes”.
Opposition leader Akram Khan Durrani took up the issue of atrocities against Muslims in Myanmar, through an adjournment motion.
During the debate, it was decided that a joint resolution should be passed from the House to express solidarity with Muslims in Myanmar.
Lawmakers, through the resolution, condemned the killing of Muslims in Myanmar on the basis of religion and expressed solidarity with the victims. They also demanded that the federal government approach the United Nations through the Foreign Office and demand end to such killings.
“The UN and other international organisations should take up the issue on humanitarian basis and save innocent lives,” the resolution demanded.Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk