Summary The resolution urges BD govt not to resurrect issues of 1971 and end all cases against JI leader.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – The National Assembly in a resolution has expressed concern over hanging of Jamaat-i-Islami Bangladesh leader Abdul Qadir Mullah for his loyalty with Pakistan during the events of 1971.
The resolution moved by Sher Akbar Khan also expressed condolences with family members of Abdul Qadir Mullah. The House demanded of the BD government not to resurrect the issues of 1971 and end all cases against leaders of JI Bangladesh through the spirit of understanding.
Rising on a point of order‚ Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said 42 years ago we witnessed the tragedy of fall of Dhaka but unfortunately we seem to have not learnt any lesson. He said still we react in a violent manner‚ do not respect others and despite claims about democracy our attitudes are not democratic.
The Interior Minister said it is an occasion to carry out self-analysis as to what we achieved and lost in forty-two years. He said Jamaat-e-Islami wants to bring a resolution on the issue and the government would support it. Abdul Sattar Bachani of PPP said the issue pertains to an independent and sovereign country and we should not interfere in the internal affairs of Bangladesh.
Makhdoom Javed Hashmi of PTI‚ Awami League leader Sheikh Rashid Ahmad‚ Raza Hayat Hiraj of PML(Q) and Maulana Ameer Zaman of JUI(F) said JI leader was eliminated because of his loyalty with Pakistan. Abdul Waseem of MQM said we should learn lesson and ruminate how to avoid national tragedies in future.
Imran Khan said lawyer of an international human rights organization called Reprieve‚ who was defending the case of 93 year old Abdul Qadir Mullah‚ told him that the JI leader was innocent and had nothing to do with the charges against him.
He said fall of Dhaka tragedy gives us a lesson that issues should be handled democratically and not through military operations.
The National Assembly was also informed that a Land Port Authority is to be established to provide better facilities to importers and exporters through land routes of the country.
Minister of State for Commerce and Textile Industry Khurram Dastgir Khan told the House during question hour that a bill to this effect would soon be presented before the House.
He said presently up to eight different departments and organizations have their presence at land ports like Wagah‚ Chaman and Torkham which creates problems for businessmen.
Under the proposed law all these entities would be under the port authority which will have modern information system to expedite clearance processes.
To another question‚ the Minister of State said the government would focus on securing the same market access from Japan which is currently available to ASEAN plus six.
He said efforts are being made to diversify exports to fields like agro food‚ halal food‚ apparels and pharmaceuticals‚ besides addressing the energy problem. He pointed out that already the large scale manufacturing has shown increased growth due to improved supply of electricity.
The Minister of State for Commerce said under the GSP Plus facility granted by EU Pakistan would be able to export 6000 items at zero duty to 27 EU countries. He said Pakistani officials concerned worked hard under guidance of the Prime Minister to achieve this historic success.
To another question‚ he said a Chinese textile company has entered into an agreement with its Pakistani counterpart under which it would make investment worth two billion dollars.
