FATF, Kashmir issues: NA speaker seeks support of Netherlands

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has sought support of the Netherlands on the issue of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the resolution of Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir and the UN Security Council resolutions. The speaker sought this support, while talking to Ambassador of the Netherlands Willem Wouter Plomp at the Parliament House here on Tuesday.

Referring to the FATF issue, the speaker, talking to the ambassador, asked for Dutch support for getting Pakistan struck out of the grey list.

He said that Pakistan was determined to root out the menace of terrorism and its financial supporters, therefore, various measures were initiated in terms of legislation and its enforcement.

Qaiser said that Pakistan had sustained immense losses due to the menace of extremism and militancy, nevertheless due to the zeal and commitment of Pakistan's armed forces and law enforcement agencies, the menace was eliminated.

He said the Netherlands had always been a staunch advocate of civil liberties and human rights; therefore, its support would be helpful for putting pressure on India for the resolution of the Kashmir Issue.

The NA speaker said that silence of the international community on grave human rights violations and gross abuses was incomprehensible. He said that 198 days of lockdown in Indian occupied Kashmir had aggravated the miseries of the innocent Kashmiris depriving them of basic necessities, medical care and communication.

Paying tribute to the steadfastness and resilience of Kashmiris, the speaker said that atrocities by Indian forces were increasing with the passage of time; however, the commitment of Kashmiris had not decreased.

About Pakistan's ties with the Netherlands, the speaker said that Pakistan greatly valued its relations with the European country and wanted to further cement them through enhancing parliamentary and economic cooperation. He underlined the need to establish linkage between the parliamentary committees of the two countries.

The speaker suggested that the Netherlands had expertise in floriculture, potato-seed production and dairy, thereof, the National Assembly Special Committee on Agriculture could have a meaningful discourse to explore avenues of cooperation in aforesaid sectors. Ambassador of Netherlands Willem Wouter Plomp assured that the Netherlands would support Pakistan for getting out of the FATF grey area.