LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Friday unanimously adopted resolutions to show solidarity with the Kashmiri people struggling for their freedom and Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who has been convicted in the US.
The PA adopted two other resolutions and paid rich tributes to Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) on the occasion of his chehlum and other martyrs of Karbala, and to demand reconstruction and expansion of the Bibi Pak Daman shrine in Lahore.
The resolution on the shrine was presented by MPA Asifa Mamdot while the other three were presented by Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan.
The assembly reiterated its support to Kashmiris struggling for their independence and demanded implementation of the UN resolutions on Kashmir.
It also demanded plebiscite in the light of the UN resolutions and withdrawal of Indian occupation forces from Jammu and Kashmir, and stoppage of oppression against the Kashmiris.
The assembly urged the world community to extend full political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris, assuring them that the entire Pakistani nation would continue to stand by them till the grant of the right to self-determination to them.
Adopting the resolution on Dr Aafia, the house showed solidarity with her and her family, hoping that all requirements of a fair trial and justice would be fulfilled in her case.
It urged the Pakistani government to pursue her case at the diplomatic level and as per the feelings and sentiments of the Pakistani people, providing all possible legal and diplomatic support to her.
The house hoped that the US, which claimed to be the champion of human rights and fair-play, would provide justice to the daughter of its biggest ally (Pakistan) in its war on terror.
Paying rich tributes to Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), the assembly declared that the message of uprightness and truthfulness given by the Imam through his martyrdom served as a beacon of light for the entire Muslim Ummah
The house declared that standing against the imperialist forces, sticking to principles and rendering sacrifices was such a lesson that would continue to guide the Ummah forever.
The assembly said the shrine of Bibi Pak Damanan (Syeda Ruqqaya), daughter of Hazrat Ali (AS), deserved immediate attention of the government.
It recommended reclaiming of the shrine’s 72-kanal attached land grabbed by people over a period of time for its expansion and decent facilities for visitors.
Supporting the resolutions, opposition leader Chaudhry Zaheeruddin said India should be told that Pakistan could use its nuclear arsenals for the liberation of Kashmir.
Sheikh Alauddin condemned India for building dams over Pakistani rivers, and demanded boycott of Indian products.
Waris Kalloo regretted that mere a lip service had been paid to the Kashmir cause. “India is snatching Pakistan’s water and is suppressing Kashmiris but we are doing nothing”, he said.
Tearing a copy of the resolution on Dr Aafia Siddiqui, he said it was shameful to be an ally of America which had punished her and her three children for no sin, and was launching drone attacks on Pakistan.
Amna Ulaft, Ejaz Ahmad Khan, Arifa Khalid, Nighat Nasir Sheikh, Zaeem Qadri and Chaudhry Rafiq also spoke.
Source: Dawn
Date:2/6/2010
