LONDON (PNI) Parliamentary debates and discussions are an important feature of a progressive and forward-looking nation but more important are the people who trigger such debates and Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan is best example of this feature, Fahim Kayani said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Excellency Mushtaq Ahmad Khan has set an example of using the highest platform to debate national development in Pakistan,” said Kayani, president of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, lauding the role of Khan who won best parliamentarian award.
Khan, a senior member of Jama’at-e-Islami Pakistan, is member of upper house (Senate) of Pakistan’s National Assembly.
For his exemplary work inside the parliament for past one year, Mr Khan was declared as best lawmaker by the Senate.
Kayani said democracy flourishes by engaging in debate, making arguments with facts and evolving a consensus for betterment of the country and the society.
“Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan has shown the way, by engaging in intellectual debates on critical issues concerning Pakistan and Kashmir,” said Kayani.
Mr Khan, said Kayani, tabled several resolutions on Kashmir in Senate to inform Pakistani public about grave situation in Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIoJK).
“It is these voices that need to be supported and multiplied inside parliament so that Pakistani politics and public remain aware of the evolving situation in IIoJK. Thanks to Senator Khan for tabling resolution in Senate on Shaheed Syed Ali Geelani and Shaheed Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai besides raising detention of Masarat Alam, Shabir Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Dr Muhammad Qasim, Syedah Asiyah Andrabi and in general for people of IIoJK,” Tehreek-e-Kashmir president explained.
Kayani recalled delegation-led meeting with Senator Khan which included himself, Altaf Ahmed Bhat, Jahanghir Khan and Nisar Ahmed Shaiq where they requested the Jama’at-e-Islami leader to table the motion in Senate of Pakistan on Shaheed Syed Ali Geelani.
“We thank Pakistan for granting posthumous award on Shaheed Geelani Sahab as proposed by Senator Khan but many things are yet to be done,” Kayani said, urging government of Pakistan to name a university after Shaheed Geelani and include his biography and political struggle at college level syllabus.
Kayani noted Senator Khan’s use of terminology during his debates on Kashmir are important. “In the din of debates, we must be aware of terminology we use about Kashmir and Senator Khan has been using the best vocabulary which will go long way in the annals of history regarding Kashmir,” said Kayani.
He thanked Senator Khan for lending support to overseas Kashmiris at a time when fascist Indian regime is criminalizing Kashmiris for raising voices against illegal Indian occupation of Kashmir.
Muhammad Ghalib, who leads Tehreek-e-Kashmir Europe chapter, suggested expanding the role of Pakistan National Assembly Special Committee on Kashmir.
“Of late, Kashmir Committee under the leadership of Excellency Shehryar Khan Afridi has become active holding regular meetings and briefings from the government of Pakistan but the mandate of this forum can be expanded which may prove better for the Kashmir-centric efforts inside the Pakistani parliament,” Ghalib suggested.
Voices like those of Senator Khan, said Ghalib, can lead the efforts in infusing strength to the Committee.
“Parliamentary debates are part of State Practice and Kashmiris thank Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan for fulfilling this responsibility,” the Tehreek-e-Kashmir Europe president said.
Kayani urged all forums, including those representing different institutions of Pakistan, to “become vibrant and brainstorm Kashmir issue as it is in vital national interest of the State of Pakistan.”
“The battle that our beloved Pakistan military fights every day to defend Azad Kashmir and borders of Pakistan should be inspiration for all of us to work towards ending occupation of IIoJK,” Kayani concluded.
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