News
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Tell India to respect 2003 ceasefire deal: NA to government* Unanimous resolution condemns unprovoked aggression by Indian military forces, attacks on Pakistan HC, demos outside PIA offices and efforts to stop Dosti Bus
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution condemning unprovoked aggression by the Indian military across the Line of Control (LoC) and asked the government to clearly convey to India that it must respect the Ceasefire Agreement 2003 in letter and spirit.
“This House unanimously condemns the unprovoked aggression by Indian military forces across the Line of Control (LoC) in recent days. It also condemns the attacks on the Pakistan High Commission and the demonstrations outside the PIA offices in New Delhi and the efforts to prevent the Friendship Bus from proceedings to Pakistan. It deplores the unjustified public vilification of Pakistan in the Indian media,” read the resolution moved by Minister of Science and Technology Zahid Hamid.
“This House endorses the prime minister’s forceful statement urging effective steps to ensure the ceasefire on the LoC; not to allow the situation to drift and to take steps to improve atmosphere by engaging constructively with a view to building trust and confidence. This House accordingly calls upon the government to clearly convey to the government of India the necessity to respect and uphold the Ceasefire Agreement 2003 in letter and spirit,” the resolution added.
It further said that “this house also reiterates that Pakistan shall continue to extend diplomatic, political and moral support for the just and legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for the realisation of their right to self-determination, as enshrined in the UN Security Council Resolutions.” The Lower House of parliament forcefully said that while Pakistan is committed to working for peace with its neighbours, it remains steadfast in its resolve to fully defend its sovereignty, territorial borders and national interests. It saluted the armed forces and assured them of its fullest support in achieving this objective.
Earlier, the House suspended agenda of the day on the request of Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed for a discussion over the issue. Addressing the House, Sheikh Rasheed urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to take the nation into confidence and give a policy statement over the issue. He said that Pakistan had made several attempts to normalise relations with India but “India had not accepted the existence of Pakistan as an independent state till date”. He said the people who think that Indian approach on Pakistan has changed are wrong.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk