Desecration of Holy Qur'an: Punjab Assembly rejects US apology

25 Feb, 2012

Punjab Assembly on Friday condemned the desecration of Holy Qur'an at a US airbase in Afghanistan and the resolution on Balochistan moved in the US Congress, and expressed its solidarity with the people of the province by unanimously passing three separate resolutions. The resolutions were jointly moved by the treasury and opposition benches.
PML-Q leader, Chaudhary Zaheeruddin had moved the first resolution against on the desecration of Holy Qur'an. It stated that Punjab Assembly strongly condemns the immoral act committed by Nato soldiers at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, which has hurt the sentiments of Muslims all over the world. "The House rejects US apology on the ground that it is not for the first time that such immoral act was committed; this has occurred quite often in the past," it added.
Through the resolution, the House demanded that the culprits should be arrested immediately and tried in the international courts. It also hoped that the international community condemns this immoral act and supports the action against culprits. Punjab Law Minister, Rana Sanaullah moved the second resolution, through which the House showed solidarity with the people of Balochistan. It stated that time has come to compensate the injustices committed against the people and remove their grievances. Also, it should be ensured that in future their rights are not infringed.
The House believed that murderers of Nawab Akbar Bugti should be punished in order to console Baloch people. The resolution also stressed the need to bring the people in the mainstream politics, which is imperative to strengthen the federation. On the occasion, Rana Sanaullah, Chaudhary Zaheeruddin and PPP parliamentarian leader Zalfiqar Gondal advocated for special treatment for the biggest province of Pakistan. They said dictatorial attitude and state oppression against the people of Balochistan have created a wedge between them and the federation, which needs to be addressed immediately. They also advocated for proper devolution of powers in the country. They suggested that Baloch leaders in exile should be brought in to mainstream politics in order to strengthen the federation.
PPP parliamentarian leader Zalfiqar Gondal moved the third resolution, which strongly condemned the resolution on Balochistan moved in the US Congress. The resolution stated that such an act (of the US Congress) is a direct attack on Pakistan's sovereignty and challenged national security of the country. "This is intolerable for Pakistan. The US resolution is an irrelevant intervention in Pakistan's internal affairs and negates the country's sovereignty. It is an open violation of international laws," it added.
The House, through the resolution, demanded that the federal government opposed and condemned US resolution, and should take up the matter at the international forum so that such acts are not repeated in the future. Later, Speaker Rana Iqbal adjourned the House till Monday afternoon, as it failed to maintain the required quorum.

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