The National Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution on relentless Israeli aggression on the Gazan Palestinians and called upon the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) to convene an emergency session with a view to taking an effective action to end Israeli brutalities. The resolution moved by Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz.
According to the Resolution, "this House unanimously condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the brutal Israeli strikes against the Palestinian people of Gaza and those abetting this genocide." The resolution further says: "This House expresses deep concern at the brazen and blatant violation by Israel of Security Council resolutions, which calls for immediate suspension of Israeli activities and warned of serious consequences for the region, including likely exacerbation of existing tensions, violence and despair, undermining any chances of achieving durable peace.
"The House expresses its heartfelt sympathy for the Palestinian people and an unequivocal support to their cause. It welcomes the adoption of a resolution by the emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council, launching an independent inquiry into the gross violations of humanitarian and human rights laws in Gaza by Israel. It calls upon the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) to convene an Emergency Session to take an effective action to stop Israeli brutalities against innocent civilians forthwith. It also calls upon UN Security Council to take appropriate action on this issue.
"This House also calls upon the international community to: (1) Negotiate an immediate and unconditional cease-fire in Gaza; (2) Require Israel to completely halt its air, ground and naval offensive, remove its forces from the area, and its blockade of Gaza; (3) Ensure the immediate resumption of negotiations for achieving a comprehensive peace agreement, providing inter-alia for establishment of a viable, geographically contiguous Palestinian state, based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its Capital; and (4) Compensate for the destruction of the entire infrastructure of Gaza.
"This House appreciates the action of the Government of Pakistan to: (a) Donate US $1 million (Rupees 100 million) to UNRWA for providing material support especially food and medicine to the Palestinian people. (b) Observe 25th July, 2014 as a national day of mourning and protest.
"It calls upon the Muslim Ummah to focus, in parallel with political initiatives already taken, on direct and tangible support for the affected persons, by providing a substantial financial assistance to alleviate their immense suffering and meet their growing humanitarian needs." Earlier, while giving policy statement on the floor of the House, Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sahrif has announced Rs 100 million for food and medicine for the people of Gaza on the appeal of United Nations (UN).
He said the government will try its level best that the Israeli aggression should be strongly condemned; steps must be taken to cease-fire forthwith; war victims to be immediately helped; a sustainable solution should be found for resolving the Palestine issue permanently through negotiations.
Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah also condemned the attacks of Israel against the Palestinian people and said that the PPP always raised the voice for their rights. While speaking on the resolution, Maulana Fazlur Rehman condemned the brutal Israeli attacks against the Palestinian people of Gaza and urged Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government to make diplomatic efforts to stop this brutality.
He said that on this occasion all Muslim countries should unite at one platform and take a stance against the action of brutality of Israel. He said that a meeting of the OIC should be called immediately to address the issue of the people of Palestine. Sahebzada Tariqullah of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) said all the Muslim countries should raise their voice against the brutalities of Israel at international forum. He said the government should take an initiative to stop the Israeli aggression. He said a session of OIC should be summoned immediately to take solid action against Israel.
Ghulam Sarwar of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) condemned the attacks of Israel and said that there is a need to make OIC's role effective. At the outset of the session of the Lower House, opposition parties wanted to discuss enforcement of Article 245 in the federal capital and threatened to boycott the proceedings. A debate on the question whether there should be a discussion on Article 245 after adoption of a strong resolution on Gaza issue consumed two hours of the house.
Opposition leader Shah said that "we will not sit in the House till a discussion on Article 245 is started". He asked the ruling party to first adopt a strongly-worded resolution unanimously to express solidarity with the people of Palestine and the Israeli aggression and then immediately start a discussion on Article 245. He insisted that National Assembly must hold discussion on Article 245 on Monday instead of Wednesday as was decided by the House Business Advisory Committee. Shah said that the Prime Minister should have taken up the Palestine issue with the Saudi King during his 10-day stay in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf members National Assembly also wanted a discussion on Article 245 on Monday after approval of a resolution on Gaza issue. Sheikh Rahid Ahmed of Awami Muslim League boycotted the proceedings for not taking up the Article 245. Mehmood Khan Achakzai of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party said the House should adopt a resolution for defending Parliament and Constitution. Sahebzada Tariqullah of Jamaat-i-Islami said the House should initiate a debate on the Gaza issue. Rashid Godil of MQM was also for a discussion on the Gaza issue.