HYDERABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians information secretary Dr Nafisa Shah has criticised ‘political victimisation’ at a time when political parties have shown exemplary unity on Kashmir issue and claimed the government has failed to pursue its case aggressively before member states of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Asean and OIC.

She said at a press conference at the residence of PPP divisional president Ali Nawaz Shah Rizvi on Sunday that parliament should have role in setting direction of the country’s foreign policy as the country needed to pursue a more aggressive diplomatic policy to raise its voice over occupied Kashmir. Senator Sassui Palijo and PPP Sindh information secretary Aajiz Dhamra also spoke at the presser.

“We have been saying all along that parliament should be given a role in foreign policy. It will help every government that inherits the policy to be aware of its traditional friends and foes and commercial interests,” she said.

She said that the country needed a consistent foreign policy like the one whose foundations had been laid by Z.A. Bhutto. He had introduced an independent and bold policy, she said.

She expressed dissatisfaction over the prime minister’s handling of Kashmir problem and his speech in joint session of the parliament. His speech lacked hope and vision for the masses while a leader always shared his vision in time of crisis, she said.

She cited speeches by PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who had always shared their vision with people. The government was not prepared for this issue. Everyone wanted to know what Imran Khan had in mind when he had claimed Modi’s success would help resolve Kashmir issue, she said.

Ms Shah said that whether the prime minister knew in advance that India was going to annex Kashmir and if he had such knowledge then why he did not take pre-emptive steps. The UNSC meeting gave the issue an international perspective and wondered whether GCC countries or USNC countries having veto power had supported Pakistan, she said.

It looked, she said, Pakistan would have to launch aggressive diplomacy with long term goals. If the PM acted like a leader, shared his vision, set goals and defined targets, he would see everyone standing by him, she said.

She slammed ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf for taking vindictive actions against opponents and said the PTI government sent Faryal Talpur to prison against doctors’ advice and disallowed Aseefa Bhutto’s meeting with her father, Asif Ali Zardari, who was not permitted to offer Eid prayers.

About the government’s one year rule, she said that PTI had completed 20pc of its term but the prime minister had nothing remarkable to show. She was not surprised over announcement by Firdous Ashiq Awan that she would release a report and then she held a press conference because she had nothing to say, she said.

She said the premier proudly stated that he did not allow issuance of production orders of Asif Zardari, sent Faryal Talpur to prison on Eid night and put thrice elected premier Nawaz Sharif in prison etc.

She deplored that gas tariff had increased by 600 per cent and fuel price by 25 pc although oil prices were on the decline in international market. Electricity tariff was increased by 30pc, stock market was showing negative indicators and there was historic 30pc increase in taxes, she said, adding that in fact bills had increased and income had decreased in one year.

Ms Shah said that things did not stop on economy and asked how Modi dared to shake status quo on Kashmir which had been maintained for decades, whether it was Imran Khan’s statement that had emboldened him.

She said that even though the premier was chauffeuring for them heads of GCC countries they were not siding with Pakistan over Kashmir issue. When National Assembly speaker convened a session a presidential order was issued to prorogue it because those in the government had nurtured in dictator’s nursery, she said.

Sassui Palijo said that mask had fallen off the face of India. The UNSC meeting was indeed a headway and now Pakistan should start lobbying with European Union, Russia and Commonwealth countries.

She proposed that parliamentary delegations should be sent to foreign countries for diplomacy and condemned political victimisation at a time when political parties had shown unity on Kashmir issue.

Aajiz Dhamra termed PTI rule a twitter government and said in a meaningful tone that ‘twitter’ account could be blocked any time. It were PPP workers who had posted to social media a video clip showing Faryal Talpur being shifted to jail otherwise it was in fact a kidnapping by NAB.

PPP leaders Dost Ali Jaiser, Aftab Khanzada, Ahsan Abro and others were also present at the press conference.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2019