The lower house of the Parliament was on Friday informed that Prime Minister Imran Khan would inaugurate the opening of Kartarpura crossing, which would generate goodwill between Pakistan and India.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the corridor would facilitate the Sikh community during their visits to Pakistan. He said the Sikh community all over the world including Canada, UK and India were hailing the decision.
Qureshi said that Prime Minister Imran Khan would perform the ground breaking ceremony at the Kartarpura corridor on Wednesday. The minister said Pakistan had taken a positive step by deciding to open Kartarpura crossing and the Indian side should also reciprocate.
He said that Indian leadership should also demonstrate the courage to open doors for the Kashmiri people for trade and people-to-people contacts. He said Pakistan had given a message of peace on the LoC but regretted that Indian side was resorting to violence and unleashing atrocities on the Kashmiri people. The minister also said that Pakistan desired friendly relations with all its neighbours including India. He said resolution of all outstanding disputes with India lies only in the dialogue process.
Referring to the dialogue offer made by the Prime Minister to the Indian side, he said the Indian side backtracked from the talks due to domestic political pressure. He, however, said that Pakistan still desired dialogue with India.
The National Assembly witnessed a rare moment of unity between the government and the opposition when the foreign minister and Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif both condemned the terrorist attack on Chinese Consulate, saying that some elements wanted to sabotage Pak-China relations and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
“This project [CPEC] is providing economic activity which is not bearable for many. They do not want peace and economic prosperity in Pakistan,” Qureshi said.
Qureshi also paid tribute to the two policemen who were martyred foiling the attack. He said the policemen lost their lives when they stopped one of the attackers who detonated his suicide jacket. According to the foreign minister, two other attackers were killed by snipers before they could enter the consular section.
“The terrorists wanted to create a hostage situation but their plan was foiled. There were about 21 Chinese staff members at the consulate and they were all safe and shifted to a safe location,” Qureshi maintained.
Sharif condemned the attack and praised the swift response of the Sindh Police and Rangers. Sharif emphasised that China was among the few countries who had supported Pakistan through difficult times.
He also said that the Prime Minister Imran Khan should disclose the name of the person who said that Nawaz Sharif wanted a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). It had emerged that the prime minister’s sister Aleema Khan had some properties in Dubai and that she was given an NRO, he said, adding, “Who were these people who said that Nawaz Sharif wanted an NRO? Prime minister should tell us the name of the person.”
“Prime Minister should stop using threatening language. This is only hurting Pakistan,” he lamented. Speaking about the prime minister’s statement regarding U-turns, he said, “If taking U-turns is a big trait, then who in the world will trust us.” “Does the prime minister know that a negative image of Pakistan has been created because of his statement? If the premier gives out statements like these then no will trust him,” he asserted.
He reiterated the opposition’s claim that the PTI government officials were still behaving as if they were in the opposition.
PML-N lawmaker Saad Rafique alleged that those in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) were being drugged to influence their confessional statements. Addressing the National Assembly, the PML-N leader said, “During [Pervez] Musharraf’s time, NAB was used to coerce people into switching loyalties. Those who were with Musharraf were considered ‘clean’ and those who stood firmly by their viewpoints were punished by NAB. Those were unfortunate times.”
Rafique lamented, “PML-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were given chances but despite attempts both the parties were unable to amend the draconian NAB law. We are responsible for this.” “Several lawmakers believe the NAB law had completed its time. However, despite this for some time now, NAB was being used as a tool to force people into switching political loyalties,” he added. “Kamran Mujahid had earlier revealed NAB’s injustices and inappropriate behaviour and Shehbaz Sharif had said similar things. It has been told that NAB imprisons people in a room which is 10×10 in size.”
On Friday, the National Assembly also unanimously passed a resolution paying homage to Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) on the occasion of his birth anniversary. The resolution was moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan.
Responding to the points of opposition members on the martyrdom of SP Tahir Dawar, Minister of State for Communication Murad Saeed said those involved in the despicable incident will be brought to justice. He pointed out that Pakistan has rendered innumerable sacrifices in the war on terrorism. He said certain elements do not want peace in Pakistan and also want to sabotage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project. He said that India also stands exposed on the Ajmal Kasab case.
Finance Minister Asad Umar also spoke on Friday, insisting that the government would only sign an IMF package that was in the interest of Pakistan’s economy and the people.
Making a policy statement in the National Assembly, he said, “we are not in a hurry for the IMF package as alternative arrangements have been made to address immediate economic needs of the country.”
Responding to the points of opposition members, Law Minister Farogh Nasim said NAB law was being examined with the consultation of other political parties. He said the government was against any excesses but it is duty-bound to ensure implementation of relevant laws.
Published in Daily Times, November 24th 2018.
