Patriot Report
ISLAMABAD: The ‘All Parties Conference’ with the one point agenda of discussing India’s Line of Control (LoC) violations and the unrest in Occupied Kashmir united all political parties as political leaders from opposition parties and the government gave a unanimous message that they all stand united against the ‘Indian aggression’.
The leaders of political parties extended full support to the government on the Kashmir issue at the All Parties Conference on Monday and condemned the unabated atrocities against the people in the Occupied Kashmir and the belligerent attitude of the Indian government.
The leaders representing different parties across the political spectrum and gathered here at the Prime Minister Office, voiced their support to the inalienable right of self determination for the Kashmiris and said there was no military solution to the problem.
The All Parties Conference chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif vowed to evolve a joint response on Kashmir issue. It called for establishment of a Parliamentary Committee on National Security and urged a solution for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif described Kashmiris and Pakistanis ‘inseparable’ and said ‘relentless efforts’ would be made to highlight the plight of Kashmiris at every international forum with the support of all political parties in the Parliament.
He said the meeting has made Pakistan strong and the Kashmir cause further stronger. ‘We stand united on matters of national importance, particularly the Kashmir Cause,’ the Prime Minister said.
‘I believe that Kashmir movement cannot be suppressed by the Indian brutalities any more,’ the Prime Minister said.
He said the struggle of Kashmiris’ for their right to self determination was legitimate and mandated by the United Nations Security Council.
Prime Minister Sharif also thanked the party leaders and representatives for their sincere suggestions. He said some very good suggestions were put forward and assured that his government would try to implement as much of these as possible.
Earlier the party leaders in brief remarks extended support of their respective parties to the government at this critical juncture.
Pakistan People’s Party
Chairperson Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in his remarks said despite differences on multiple issues, his party stands with the government on the Kashmir issue and Indian aggression on the Line of Control. He termed it a turning point in Indo-Pakistan relations and said only a united Pakistan can counter Indian aggression. He said his party would work along with the government to achieve national security objectives.
‘There is no military solution to the Kashmir dispute, he added. Bilawal also assured the Prime Minister of his full support on the issue and said he was willing to work with him in a harmonious manner.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf after setting aside all differences with the government has participated in the conference with a clear message to the world and India that we all stand united in solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
Qureshi said it was India which violated all bilateral agreements with Pakistan in the past. Today, the unarmed and oppressed people of Kashmir have risen against the Indian atrocities. India fully knows there was no military solution to the Kashmir dispute but was still continuing with aggression.
Jamat-e-Islami
Ameer Jamat-e-Islami, Siraj ul Haq extended congratulations to the Prime Minister on holding the meeting at this critical juncture.
He said that PM’s UNGA speech was highly reflective of the sentiments of the people of Pakistan. ‘We are with the government, valiant armed forces and the people of Pakistan.’
Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (F)
Maulana Fazlur Rehman of JUI-F in his remarks stressed the need for forging national unity at this critical moment and said a collective voice and resolve of the entire nation was the need of the hour. He called for highlighting brutal state oppression in IoK both at the political and diplomatic level. He said today’s meeting has sent a very positive and constructive message the world over.
‘Our stance on Kashmir reflects the sentiments of the nation and the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir and it is a very principled stance,’ he added. He said Prime Minister’s initiative to send special envoys to important world capitals was commendable.
Pakistan Muslim League-Q:
As reported by Radio Pakistan, PML (Q) leader Kamil Ali Agha said no compromise can be made on Pakistan defence. ‘We are one nation and one voice on this issue.’
He said Indian ‘state sponsored terrorism’ is condemnable and Pakistan should expose Indian propaganda on Balochistan and Gilgit. He said Pakistan should work hard to forge new alliances at international forums.
Awami National Party:
Ghulam Ahmad Bilour of Awami National Party said the prime minister’s speech at the UNGA has given a new life to Kashmir dispute on diplomatic front.
He congratulated the Prime Minister for holding the meeting of parliamentary leaders at this critical juncture.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement:
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Farooq Sattar, too, echoed his sentiments. ‘We want to send a message to the outside world that our unity is undeterred,’ said Sattar, adding that all political leaders were given a ‘warm welcome’ by the PM at the conference.
‘India should know that it will get a befitting response for its terrorism over water in Jammu and Kashmir,’ he said, adding that Pakistan needs to ‘fine tune’ its diplomatic efforts on Kashmir.
It is pertinent to mention here that Awami Muslim League (AML) head Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was not invited to attend the meeting.
Tension has risen between the two nuclear armed nations since the Uri attack in which 18 India Army soldiers were killed by suspected militants; India blamed Pakistan for the attack. Last week Indian Army claimed to have launched a surgical strike across the LoC, another claimed rejected by Pakistan.