January 13, 2009	Tuesday	Muharram 15, 1430

ISLAMABAD, Jan 12: The National Assembly adopted on Monday a unanimous resolution condemning the Israeli aggression in the Gaza strip and calling upon the international community to help bring the atrocities to an immediate end.

The resolution, tabled by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan, said the Israeli offensive and siege of Gaza were in contravention of international law.

In a unique demonstration of unity, opposition lawmakers expressed concern over reported differences between the president and the prime minister, observing that national unity was needed at “this critical juncture”.

Some of the members even stood up in their chairs to raise slogans against Israel. PPP legislator Jamshaid Dasti wore a black arm band. The chair had to interrupt the vociferous legislators, telling them that slogan raising was not allowed in the house.

The house called for an unhindered flow of humanitarian assistance to the affected people and expressed solidarity and sympathy with the Palestinians.

The resolution also condemned attacks on aid convoys by Israeli forces. It renewed Pakistan’s resolve to support the Palestinian cause and complete withdrawal of Israel from occupied Arab territories, including Jerusalem.

The resolution called for restitution of inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and establishment of an independent homeland with Al Quds as its capital.

The National Assembly reiterated the resolve of the people of Pakistan to continue supporting the Palestinians in their just struggle for self-determination, urging the government to pursue the matter in the OIC and provide humanitarian and medical aid to the people of Gaza.

The legislators condemned the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians and called for taking political and diplomatic steps to forge a consensus among Islamic countries against Israel.

The Pakistan government should campaign for a meeting of foreign ministers from Muslim countries so that a clear message could be conveyed to Israel and its western masters that “we stand beside our Palestinian brothers”, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said.

Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat of the PML-Q said that in 1974 Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had hosted the OIC summit in Lahore, asking the PPP government to convene a similar conference on the Israeli invasion. He urged the government to send relief goods to Palestine as early as possible.

Riaz Pirzada of the PML-Q said the prime minister should hold a meeting of chief ministers to find a solution to people’s problems.

Khush Bakht Shujaat of the MQM urged leaders of political parties to support the government in taking a firm stand against Israeli brutalities. She said that only passing a resolution condemning the Israeli aggression would not work.

Munir Khan Orakzai, a legislator from Fata, urged the government not to follow policies of the Musharraf government and sack all people appointed by the previous government.

Maulana Asmatullah criticised the government for conferring national awards on US dignitaries, calling for a debate on the matter.

Akhunzada Chatan urged the government to pay attention to the misery of those who have been displaced in Bajaur.

The house offered Fateha for the Palestinian people killed by Israeli troops, victims of the Karachi hut fire last week and people killed in Hangu clashes.