Parliament’s joint session holds debate on key issues

The Joint Sitting of the Parliament undertook a discussion on various issues including law and order and terrorism, economic policy, Jammu and Kashmir Issue, respect for national institutions, China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor, population explosion, Climate Change impact and foreign policy of the country.

The discussion is aimed at creating awareness and building consensus on these issues.

Taking part in the debate, Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan said incidents of terrorism are rampant in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and authorities concerned should take notice of this to protect life and liberty of the people of the province. He, however, said the provincial police have rendered unmatched sacrifice in the fight against terrorism; despite lack of resources, equipment and training. He said Islamic scholars, political forces and the general public of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have strongly rejected terrorists and their ideology.

Mushtaq Ahmed Khan also urged the speaker to issue the production order of detained MNA Ali Wazir.

Shazia Marri said economic development is interlinked with peace and stability in the country for which we need to fully eliminate terrorism. She said an in-camera session, seeking feedback of security agencies on countering terrorism can be convened to evolve a comprehensive policy to curb militancy from the country.

Irfan Siddiqui said Islam preaches peace and terrorists have nothing to do with the religion and morality. He suggested constituting a committee of both the Houses to evolve a strategy to deal with the menace of terrorism.

Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan criticized the previous government of PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for allowing resettlement of terrorist elements in the province. He said around four hundred billion rupees were provided to the provincial government of PTI but it wasted funds anywhere else instead of upgrading the police force to curb the militancy.

Mutfi Abdul Shakoor said Imran Khan and his cronies have committed economic terrorism in the country by damaging international relations of Pakistan with friendly countries. He said Imran Khan had claimed that United States was behind his ouster from power but now he is exonerating Washington of any such conspiracy. He said Imran Khan should be held responsible for economic terrorism in the country.

Those who also spoke on the occasion include, Mohammad Aslam Bhootani and Kishwar Zehra.

The Joint Sitting of the Parliament will meet again tomorrow [Tuesday] at four p.m.

Source: Radio Pakistan