Senate body condemns Trumps decision on Jerusalem

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior, in its meeting on Thursday, strongly condemned the terror attack on Army Vehicle and US President Donald Trump’s decision of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The Chairman Senate Committee on Interior Senator Rehman Malik moved a resolution which was unanimously passed by the members of the committee. The resolution stated: “Senate Standing Committee on Interior strongly condemns the terror attack on Army vehicle in North Waziristan on December 12, 2017, in which Second Lieutenant Abdul Moeed and Sepoy Basharat were martyred. This committee pays rich tribute to the martyrs of nation, prays for their departed souls and expresses heartfelt condolences and sympathies with their families.

“The Senate Standing Committee on Interior strongly condemns the US President Donald Trump’s decision of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Muslim Ummah is facing terrorism across the world, particularly Middle East and Pakistan are worst victim of terrorism, and there is dire need of interfaith harmony and decision of Donald Trump has hurt the process of interfaith harmony which will harm world’s efforts towards peace.”

Committee Chairman Senator Rehman Malik constituted a sub-committee, headed by Senator Barrister Muhammad Ali Khan Saif, to consider the bill titled “Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2017, moved by Senator Barrister Murtaza Wahab and Senator Mukhtiar Ahmed Dhamrah aimed at witness protection in Pakistan. The sub-committee will look into the subject bill and take input from the Law Division and Ministry of Interior on any existing or already proposed legislation in this regard.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship Rehman Malik here in Islamabad and was attended among others by Senators Sardar Fateh Muhammad Hasani, Muhammad Ali Khan Saif, Murtaza Wahab, Mir Israrullah Khan Zehri, Rubina Khalid, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Secretary Interior, SSP Islamabad, officials of the Ministry of Law & Justice and also by renowned lawyers Ms Asma Jehangir and Advocate Sadia Nooren Malik, who apprised the meeting on deported Turkish teachers.

The committee also offered Fateha for the departed souls of Second Lieutenant Abdul Moeed and Sepoy Basharat and expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathies with their families. Committee paid rich tribute to the martyrs of the nation for their sacrifices and asked the government to implement the National Action Plan in its true spirits.

The committee also discussed the issue of action being taken against the Turk citizens living in Pakistan having valid and legal visa moved by Senator Muhammad Ali Khan Saif.

The attorney of some Turks, Asma Jahangir told the meeting that her clients were handcuffed from their House in September this year despite a government assurance that they will not be deported until November 2017, and they were reportedly taken into custody by Turk police and taken to Istanbul.

However, Ministry of Interior and Police and FIA have claimed that they do not have any knowledge of their being sent to Turkey without Passports.

Advocate Sadia Norren Malik said that Turkish teachers had nothing to do with the politics of either country and victimised them for the wrongdoing of any is injustice. Rehman Malik summoned Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's representative to brief the committee on the deportation of Turkish teachers last year.

He also gave directions to the Interior Ministry to give detailed information on who took them to Turkey, what kind of flight they took, what numbers of Turks have been deported and what number is still in Pakistan, and under what agreement the administration of the schools has been transferred.

The committee decided to call Secretary Foreign Affairs, Secretary Interior, Secretary Civil Aviation, Secretary Education and representative of PM Office also to the next meeting.

The committee Chairman Senator Rehman Malik expressed annoyance over the absence of the Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology (CCI) and passed the direction if he continues to remain absent from the meeting, the committee will move against him in the Senate and may bring privilege motion against him. He said that there are three important Bills pending for which the opinion of Chairman CII is needed but he is continuously ignoring to attend the committee meeting.