NA condemns ceasefire violations

Published August 23, 2013
— File photo
— File photo

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly condemned on Thursday continued violations of ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) by Indian army and called for a constructive, sustained and result-oriented process of engagement.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the house paid rich tribute to Captain Sarfraz of Pakistan Army who was killed in unprovoked shelling by Indian troops in the Shakma sector, near Skardu, along the LoC.

“The people of Pakistan fully stand behind their civil and military leadership to defend the territory of Pakistan,” said the resolution moved by Defence Production Minister Rana Tanvir Hussain.

Earlier, the lawmakers warned India against jingoism and said a war between the two nuclear rivals would not be a limited one.

Shah Gul Afridi, an MNA from tribal areas, said even the tribal people were “capable of teaching a lesson to the hostile neighbour” if a war was thrust upon Pakistan.

Tahir Iqbal of the PML-N said India wanted to test Pakistan’s patience. After failing to overcome its internal problems, including secessionist movements, India was not only indulging in a blame game but also continuously demonstrating aggressive behaviour.

Mr Iqbal said if a war broke out it would not be a limited one. “God forbid, somebody can press a nuclear button,” he remarked.

He said Pakistan was in a position to give tit-for-tat response to India and warned that the international community would be held responsible if the situation deteriorated.

Sahibzada Tariqullah condemned the Indian aggression and said the PML-N government was not condemning the repeated violations of ceasefire in the manner that it should.

On a point of order, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Shafqat Mehmood said all parties had complained about rigging in the general election.

He said PTI chairman Imran Khan had sought biometric verification of voters in four constituencies and the interior minister had expressed his readiness to allow the same in 40 constituencies. However, there has been no progress on the issue.

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