A parliamentary panel on Wednesday paid glowing tributes to late Bashir Ahmad Bilour, terming him a symbol of bravery and defiance in the face of growing challenges and called for national unity to defeat anti-state elements.
The Senate's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, which met here with Haji Mohammad Adeel in the chair, passed a unanimous resolution expressing deep shock and grief over the tragic assassination of Bashir Ahmad Bilour, Senior Minster of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, by terrorists.
"Late Bashir Bilour was symbol of bravery and defiance in the face of growing challenges and threats. His sacrifice for the cause of democracy, liberty and freedom would not go in vain," says the resolution, which was moved by Senator Sehar Kamran and unanimously passed by the panel. The panel, through the resolution, condoled with the members of the bereaved family and leaders of the Awami National Party including chairman of the Committee, Senator Haji Mohammad Adeel, whose party has suffered great losses in the recent incidents as the continued brutal acts of the terrorists targeted the liberal democratic parties and forces.
The Committee reaffirmed its commitment that such terrorist attacks, which are against the teaching of Islam, will not shake their resolve to stand firm against brutality and terrorism. The panel urged the international community to acknowledge the sacrifices of the Pakistani nation and leaders in the war against terrorism and appealed to the nation to take a joint stand to confront the terrorist elements and others who have designs against the solidarity of the country.
Later, the Committee was given a detail briefing on the policy of government of Pakistan on Cyprus, besides briefing on visit of Hurriyat Conference delegation to Pakistan and other important issues by officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The chairman and the committee members were of the opinion that the visit of Hurriyat Conference delegation was an important move and asked Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take necessary steps to arrange such interactions in the future.
Haji Adeel observed that the Kashmir issue was a corner stone of Pakistan's foreign policy and the visit by Hurriyat Leaders was a positive development. He expressed his displeasure on the advice of Foreign Office not to allow Chief Minster of Bihar, India to visit Peshawar/Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province due to security and other reasons. The committee was informed that Pakistan wants to resolve the Kashmir issue on the basis of UN resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani told the panel that the Hurriyat Conference delegation termed the visit fruitful and important one. He said that the delegation received a clear cut message that all the political forces of the country are united on the issue of Kashmir. The committee also discussed the issue of government owned properties abroad and sought some further details about the properties and assured that the panel would make all out effort to resolve problems being faced by the ministry in constructing its own buildings for missions abroad.