By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: The opposition parties on Wednesday criticised the government’s alleged inability to highlight the Kashmir issue at world forums, saying a ‘diplomatic emergency’ must be declared to effectively highlight the Kashmir cause.
The National Assembly session convened on Wednesday and will continue till December 20. During this session, the Lower House will debate on matters of public interest and importance along with legislation, it was agreed during the meeting.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal criticised Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) tepid response to the Kashmir crisis and said that if the body does not agree to call a session on the issue, Pakistan should “immediately announce its exit”.
“We don’t need a dead forum that cannot even call a session on Occupied Kashmir,” he declared. In response, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi urged the opposition not to “minimise” Pakistan’s efforts in this regard. “When Pakistan’s efforts are minimised, you are being minimised and Pakistan’s stance is being weakened. Please, do not minimise what Pakistan has done. Yes, contribute and add to what we have done and if you have positive suggestions, God willing, we will incorporate them into our thinking,” he added.
“On this issue and on issues of national interest, we are open to input the input and the voice of this House do not weaken our hands but strengthen them,” the foreign minister said.
