ISLAMABAD: The Nat
ional Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution in favour of Rohingya
Muslims and against the human rights violations being committed by the government of Myanmar.
The resolution moved by Minist
er for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid deplored the systematic and organised destructi
on of villages and homes of Rohingya
Muslims.
Earlier, a discussion on a motion in this regard was held for more than two hours on Wednesday, in which fourteen lawmakers participated, who criticised the atrocities being committed against the Rohingya
Muslims in Myanmar.
The resolution passed by lower house of the parliament conveyed a deepest sympathy and condolence to the victims of ongoing brutalities in Myanmar and their families. It reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Rohingya
Muslims for the realizati
on of their civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights. By recalling the charter of the United Nations and previous resolutions passed by its General Assembly on the situati
on of Rohingya
Muslims, the Nat
ional Assembly of Pakistan urges the internat
ional community especially the human rights council to force Myanmar to ensure the realizati
on of the rights of Rohingya
Muslims, investigate the incident of human rights violations and hold the perpetrators accountable for such violations.
The resolution further urges the internat
ional community to provide the human assistance to Rohingya
Muslims.
The Senate has already passed a similar resolution in this regard whereas the ambassador of Myanmar was also called to the Foreign Office. A strong protest of the government and people of Pakistan against the ongoing violence against the Rohingya
Muslims in the Rakhine state in Myanmar was conveyed in this meeting.
Taking part in the debate, former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan criticised the government for its silence over the issues of Rohingya
Muslims and a recent drone attack in the country.
He lashed out at his own party’s government for maintaining silence on important issues and criticised the government in backdrop of a reported drone attack in Kurram Agency along the border with Afghanistan on September 15. “Drone attacks are unacceptable. They are a challenge and a big mark on our sovereignty and independence,” he said, adding that Pakistan government even did not bother to formally condemn the missile at
tack.” Targeting the PM, he said, “We did not need to show courtesy with United State but our PM held a courtesy meeting with US ambassador rather than condemning the drone strike.”
Speaking on the resolution about Rohingya
Muslims, he also hit at the PML-N government as well as the Organisati
on of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for inaction over the genocide of Rohingya
Muslims in Myanmar.
Nisar was of the view that IOC is a worthless body and should be disbanded; however, he said that a special meeting of OIC should be held on the issue.
He suggested the government to establish fund for Rohingya
Muslims and urged lawmakers to personally raise money for the relief and rehabilitati
on of refugees.
Published in Daily Times, September 21st 2017.