Shazia lauds UN, US for neutral role in Pak-India de-escalation

ISLAMABAD: PPP lawmaker Shazia Marri in her speech on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday praised the United Nations and the USA for playing non-partisan and constructive role in defusing tensions between Pakistan and India.

“For the first time in the past history, they did not lean to the aggressor, country that is doing injustice in the region and acting like a bully and rogue state,” Shazia Marri said.

She said Pakistan not only acted as a sovereign state but also as a responsible member of the international community committed to the UN Charter and its own constitution.

She praised the friends in the region and beyond who called for restraint and dialogue.

Shazia Marri welcomed the ceasefire but at the same time said it should not be the conclusion but beginning of a long overdue reckoning in the region. “It should be known where truth prevails over propaganda, dialogue triumphs over hatred and where sovereignty is respected not violated,” the PPP parliamentarian said.

She reiterated that Pakistan never wished the region to be engulfed in unrest and violence. “But if provoked, we responded with precision, responsibility and dignity; neither targeting civilians not violating international law,” she added.

She also pointed out that this was also a moment that demands greater political unity. “In times of national security, there can be no room for any ambiguity; no space for silence and no tolerance for opportunism,” she said adding that any individual or a party fails to stand with Pakistan must answer to the people.

She noted that at such a critical juncture, there could be no room for political differences. “Those who lack the courage to condemn the external aggression cannot claim the right to lead the nation,” she added.

Meanwhile, the PPP parliamentarians objected to continued absence of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi from the House. “Interior minister never comes and does not respond to agenda relating to him,” Syed Khursheed Shah said.

Another PPP lawmaker, Abdul Qadir Patel, said it is the demand of every member of the House that he wants to see the interior minister.