Seventeen special Senate delegates, formed by Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani to visit different parts of the world to highlight the worsening situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), would start their visits after the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, it is learnt.
Presently, the schedule of the said visits is being given final touches, which would be confirmed as soon as the required response is received from the host countries and organisations, well-placed sources in Senate Secretariat told Business Recorder.
"We have sent five requests on behalf of the chairman Senate; two to countries' governments and three to organisations, to confirm schedule of the meetings of the relevant officials with the special delegates from the Senate of Pakistan. As soon as the relevant confirmations are received, details of travelling and lodging would be shared with the hosts and arrangements for visit would be completed. This should not take more than a few days," an official privy to the matter said.
Earlier on Friday last, the chairman Senate, in consultation with Leader of the House in Senate Shibli Faraz and Leader of the Opposition in Senate Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, decided to send special delegations for highlighting the situation arising due to changes in the constitutional status of the IOK. The 17 special delegates are divided into five groups and each of the three groups comprises three senators whereas each of the last two groups comprises four senators. The delegations would visit the United States, Russia, Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU-Geneva, Switzerland), European Union (EU-Brussels, Belgium) and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC-Jeddah, Saudi Arabia).
They have been tasked to sensitise the world about atrocities and human rights violations by the Indian occupied forces. The special delegates include members of different political parties including those of treasury benches and opposition.
According to the official plan, former chairman Senate Senator Farooq H Naek would lead the delegation to the US. Senators Nauman Wazir Khattak and Anwar-ul-Kakar will accompany him during the visit.
Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif will head the delegation to Russia, comprising senators Sassui Palijo and Dr Shehzad Waseem.
Senators Agha Shahzaib Durrani and Gianchand will be the part of delegation led by Senator Mohsin Aziz to interact with the leadership of the IPU.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed would lead the Senate delegation comprising senators Walid Iqbal, Hilal-ur-Rehman and Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti to the EU.
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Raja Zafar-ul-Haq will head the delegation to the OIC. Senators Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Siraj-ul-Haq and Hafiz Abdul Karim will be the part of the delegation.
The bilateral ties between Pakistan and India have hit rock-bottom since August 4 when the Indian parliament passed a highly controversial law to repeal Articles 370 and 35A of Indian constitution to deprive the IOK of special status and autonomy it enjoyed since decades. Since then, Pakistan has taken a number of steps to respond to India's move.
On August 7, the National Security Committee (NSC) approved a number of crucial decisions including downgrading of diplomatic relations with India, suspension of bilateral trade, reviewing bilateral arrangements, taking the matter to the United Nations including the Security Council, and observing this Independence Day (August 14) in solidarity with Kashmiris and India's Independence Day (August 15) as Black Day.
In consequence of NSC's decision to downgrade relations with India, Pakistan has expelled Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria and has not nominated its high commissioner to New Delhi. Also on August 7, the two-day joint session of the Parliament unanimously passed a resolution to condemn the "illegal, unilateral, reckless and coercive attempt by India to alter the disputed Status of Indian Occupied Kashmir as enshrined in the UNSC resolutions and other regressive measures to change its demographic structure (through repeal and revocation of Article 35(A) of the Indian Constitution) by the Indian Government," while extending complete and unconditional support to the people of Kashmir.
At the conclusion of the two-day joint session that was convened by President Arif Alvi to discuss repealing of Articles 35A and 370 of Indian constitution by Indian Parliament, scores of members of national assembly and senators from all the parliamentary political parties came together to pass the resolution.