KARACHI: Lawmakers in the Sindh Assembly on Friday vehemently condemned the state terrorism carried out by Israel in Gaza and demanded an immediate halt to the “genocide” of unarmed Palestinians.

Through a unanimously adopted joint resolution, they also asked the federal government to raise the issue globally.

The resolution, tabled by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and adopted unanimously, also called upon the provincial government to immediately take up this matter with the federal government to convey to the international comity of nations that the people of Pakistan stood with their brethren in Palestine during their most difficult time with all possible support.

Later, the resolution was jointly read by Rabia Azfar Nizami of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Mangla Sharma of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and Grand Democratic Alliance’s Nusrat Sehar Abbasi.

The house is told Palestine would not be freed by begging the European Union and UN, but by ‘jihad’

The resolution said: “This house expresses deep concern over the current escalation of hostilities against Palestinians started during the holy month of Ramazan by attacking worshipers at Masjid Al Aqsa. It also condemns this unprovoked attack on innocent Palestinians, the latest in the ongoing terrorism perpetuated by the fascist Israel State.”

The lawmakers considered the continuous blockade of Gaza by Israel tantamount to creating the largest concentration camp of modern times and denounced in unequivocal terms the atrocities being committed on the people of Palestine by Israel.

The assembly also mourned the loss of innocent Palestinian lives at the hands of Israeli aggression and prayed for those who sustained injuries.

The lawmakers reiterated the support for the fundamental rights of Palestinian people for realisation of their right and denounced in unequivocal terms the atrocities being committed on the people of Palestine by Israel.

Murad termed Israel ‘terrorist state’

Concluding the debate on the resolution, the chief minister condemned Israel for carrying out state terrorism in Palestine by targeting unarmed people including children and women. “Israel is a terrorist state,” he said.

He said that the recent unrest was started in April when Israel disconnected loudspeakers of Al Aqsa in order to stop azan.

The chief minister said that Israeli forces attacked Al Aqsa when the Palestinian protested over the disconnection of the mosque’s loudspeakers.

He said that the Ummah was desperately missing leaders like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, King Faisal and Benazir Bhutto to raise effective voice for the Muslims. “They were killed under a conspiracy,” he said.

Mr Shah appeared critical of the efforts of the Pakistan government on the matter.

He also criticised Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi for ‘indulging’ in PTI’s internal rifts instead of using all diplomatic channels for stopping atrocities in Palestine.

“You should raise this issue in an effective manner and take strong stance, the whole nation would back you,” the CM added.

Syed Abdul Rasheed of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal said that Israel was carrying out a massacre in Palestine with full backing of the United States.

He said that Pakistan would have to play a leading role in this demanding situation. “We have made missiles with a range of over 2,000 kilometres but should we go for a joyride on this?” he asked.

He also criticised the UN for its double standards and said that a Christian state was established in South Sudan within months but the UN’s resolutions on Kashmir and Palestine could not see the light of day for ages.

The parliamentary party leader of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan, Mufti Mohammad Qasim Fakhri, said that Palestine would not be freed by begging the European Union and UN but by “jihad”.

He asked the government and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to announce “jihad”.

He said that the TLP workers and leaders were ready to fight against Israel.

PTI hails PM’s efforts

PTI’s parliamentary party leader Bilal Ahmed hailed the federal government for taking “proactive” measures to stop loss of human lives in Palestine.

Firdous Shamim Naqvi of the same party said that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was being appreciated for his strong stance on the Palestine issue, himself praised Prime Minister Imran Khan’s efforts for resolution of the dispute.

MQM-P’s Mangla Sharma said that she supported the people of Palestine as it was a matter of humanity. “Injustice being committed against any religion or community should be condemned,” she added.

Nusrat Sehar Abbasi of the GDA urged that practical steps should also be taken for the people of Palestine besides adopting resolutions.

“Al Aqsa is a holy place for Muslims as it is our first Qibla,” she said.

PPP’s Syeda Shehla Raza, Sharmila Farooqui, Syed Zulfikar Shah, Saeed Ghani and Jam Shabbir Ali, PTI’s Rabia Azfar Nizami, Jamaluddin Siddiqui, Omar Omari, Sarwat Fatima of TLP and Kanwar Naveed Jameel of MQM-P also spoke.

Journalist Protection bill introduced

Separately, Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah introduced ‘The Sindh Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners Bill, 2021’.

The bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights to scrutinise the same and present its report in the house within three days.

Later, Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani adjourned the sitting to Monday.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2021