ISLAMABAD, March 18: The proposal that Pakistan should act to assert the moral authority of the United Nations and organize two third votes in the General Assembly to stop war on Iraq received overwhelming support at a seminar organized here at the Policy Institute Studies on Monday.

The former senator, Akram Zaki, mooted the proposal, during discussion on the subject “US-Iraq conflict: Options for Pakistan”.

Veteran politician Asghar Khan, two senators, Prof Khurshid Ahmad and Mushahid Hussain, were among other principal discussants. Participants said Akram Zaki’s proposal could be well worth giving a try. In Zaki’s view, Pakistan should have had the moral courage to vote against the US-Britain backed resolution, which was not tabled.

The discussants also agreed that the US declaration to effect regime change in Iraq was in violation of international law.

The illegal action, they believed, had initiated a thought process, which might ultimately lead to a multipolar arrangement in conduct of international diplomacy. They observed that France was the author of this idea that also had China’s support and had enormous significance in world affairs.

The chairman of the discussion-session, Prof Khurshid Ahmad, remarked that “the fundamental issue is one of legality and legitimacy of the impending attack on Iraq that questions whether “the civilised nations should act in accordance with the rule of law.”

It is an issue, which should be examined in view of its long- term consequences, he said.

Prof Khurshid also touched on the economic implications of the war on Pakistan, and said oil prices would soar and might touch to Rs100 per litre mark.

The issue turns on Pakistan, which is strategically placed in the Middle East, the theatre of war, as well as its importance as a member of the Security Council, said Mushahid Hussain in his presentation.

Asghar Khan was not sure whether Pakistan could do any thing other than being more circumspect in taking future steps. The recent demonstrations held at Karachi had convinced him of anti-war sentiments of the Pakistani nation. He also said the tragedy was destined to have grim effect on the world economy and Pakistan should try and control its negative fall out on the people.— Jonaid Iqbal