ISLAMABAD: The opposition’s joint parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday adopted a unanimous resolution urging the Muslim countries not to allow their territory, airspace or resources to be used against any other country under any external pressure.
The resolution demanded that the government take parliament and the opposition into confidence on Pakistan’s defence agreements and policy matters in the context of changing regional situation so that decisions related to national security can be taken with national consensus.
The meeting, held here at the Parliament House and presided over by the Leaders of Opposition in the National Assembly and Senate, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas respectively, took stock of a host of issues.
It was emphasized that the resolution was passed with national security, the regional situation and the sentiments of Pakistani people in mind. The resolution expressed deep concern over the alarming situation in the region, strongly condemned the attacks carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran, and called them a clear violation of international law and state sovereignty.
The meeting clarified that every sovereign state has the fundamental right to self-defence and that respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and international laws of states is indispensable for global peace and stability.
In this regard, the meeting expressed deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of Iranian leaders and others and strongly condemned all incidents of targeting civilian populations. In the light of Article 40 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the meeting emphasized, Pakistan should play its role in promoting brotherly relations and Islamic solidarity with Muslim countries and prioritise diplomacy, dialogue and the path of peace to end tensions in the region.
The meeting congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei on assuming the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran and expressed its best wishes for him. The meeting expressed the hope that under his leadership, Iran would move more firmly on the path of internal stability, development and national unity, and would play a positive and effective role in promoting peace and stability in the region as well as mutual cooperation, unity and harmony among the Muslim world.
The forum called on the government and the international community to take immediate and effective diplomatic steps to achieve a ceasefire, de-escalation and a peaceful resolution of the conflict. It was expressed that the cases in which former prime minister of Pakistan and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, is being held are politically motivated and baseless and should be dismissed through the judicial process. However, pending this court decision, the current precarious health of PTI leader, who is lodged in Adiala jail, has become a serious concern.
The meeting noted with deep concern that the PTI founder has not been provided with adequate medical facilities in prison, leading to his being shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences twice in a short period for treatment and necessitating continuous follow-up.
In view of the above circumstances and his deteriorating health, which requires urgent and specialised medical attention, the Joint Opposition Parliamentary Party passed a resolution that Imran Khan should be released immediately under Rules 143, 145, 146, 197, and 795 of the Pakistan Prison Rules, read with Section 401 of the Criminal Procedure Code, as has been done in the past in the case of a convicted former prime minister.
The meeting also expressed concern over the tension with Afghanistan and urged both countries to resolve issues through patience and diplomatic means and ensure the safety of civilians. Similarly, it was underlined that Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan should be treated with dignity and respect in accordance with international law and humanitarian requirements.
Sources privy to the meeting revealed that several lawmakers urged returning to the Senate and National Assembly committees, including the standing committees, to actively play a positive role instead of giving a “free hand” to the ruling coalition.
