Direct flights from Quetta to facilitate Arbaeen pilgrims
APP
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that the Balochistan government had been directed to operate direct flights from Quetta to Iran and Iraq for Arbaeen pilgrims.
He made these remarks while addressing the National Assembly where he said the government was taking steps to facilitate Arbaeen pilgrims after they were barred from land travel for Arbaeen. The minister said the ban was imposed due to volatile security environment, especially due to the threat of terrorist attacks on pilgrim convoys.
“To mitigate these risks, the centre has directed the Balochistan government to operate direct flights from Quetta, allowing pilgrims to safely travel by air to their destinations,” he said.
“Iran has so far allowed one such flight; we are pressing them to start frequent flight operations as well.” Arrangements had also been made for onward transportation of pilgrims from airports in Iran and Iraq to their intended sites, he said. “Advertisements had been published over the past four days inviting private carriers to operate on the route, and all licensed private airlines had been allowed to provide services,” he told the NA. “Chartered flights have also been approved to maximise the number of pilgrims able to travel safely.”
The minister further said that during the recent visit of the Iranian president to Pakistan, the matter had also been discussed, and Iran had allowed an additional flight to facilitate the movement of Pakistani pilgrims. “I want to assure the House and the people across Pakistan that the government is fully committed to ensuring safe, comfortable, and timely transportation for all Arbaeen pilgrims,” he added.
Meanwhile, the federal government has invited the opposition for a dialogue on 26th constitutional amendment. Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar extended an invitation to the opposition to engage in talks aimed at improving the 26th constitutional amendment.
Speaking on the floor, the minister said, “Come, sit with us, and tell us how this amendment can be improved. We were ready yesterday, and we are ready today.”
He emphasized that creating chaos or tearing papers won’t solve anything, adding, “Issues can only be resolved through dialogue.” The law minister further stated that the 26th Amendment aims to prevent the undermining of parliament by the judiciary, noting that the same judicial appointment process is followed globally. He also highlighted that the amendment has led to a reduction in pending cases.
The National Assembly reiterated that Pakistan will never compromise on the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination as guaranteed under international law and UN resolutions.
To this respect, the House unanimously passed a resolution moved by Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam in Urdu and by Shazia Marri in English.
The House strongly condemned India’s illegal, unilateral and morally indefensible actions of 5 August 2019, which aimed to alter the internationally recognized status of Jammu and Kashmir in violation of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions.
It declared that no unilateral action by India can change the disputed nature of Jammu and Kashmir, which remains on the agenda of the United Nations.
The resolution affirmed that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is not an internal matter of India but a global issue requiring a just resolution in accordance with UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
It called upon the international community to stand for justice, not silence, in the face of Indian oppression and human rights abuses in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The House affirmed that Pakistan’s moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people remains unshakable and enduring.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has reiterated Pakistan’s diplomatic, political and moral support to Kashmiris for their inalienable right to self-determination. Taking the floor, he said India, through its oppressive tactics, cannot suppress the indigenous freedom movement of the people of Kashmir. The Minister for Information also paid rich tribute to Shaheed Burhan Wani, late Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and others for their sacrifices against the Indian tyranny.
Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal condemned the brutalities being committed in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir by the rulers of New Delhi. He said the entire Pakistani nation is united when it comes to the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has ruled out any new operation in Bajaur.He, however, made it clear that kinetic and non-kinetic measures under the National Action Plan will continue. The Minister said security forces are fighting against terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. He urged the political leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to stand behind the security forces while setting aside political affiliation in order to defeat the menace of terrorism.
PML-N leader Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar presented a resolution, urging the House to declare the seat of MNA Waqas Akram vacant for remaining absent from the House for forty consecutive days of its sittings. The Chair remarked that the matter should be dealt in accordance with the rules and procedure.
The House will now meet today at 11 am.
