NA condemns attacks on Iranian parliament, mausoleum of Khomeini

ISLAMABAD: The members of National Assembly on Thursday condemned the terrorist attacks on the Iranian Parliament and mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini.

At the outset of the proceedings, the House offered Fateha for those martyred in the terrorist attacks in Iran.

“The whole nation stands with the Iranian brethren in this hour of grief. Terrorism is a common threat and collective efforts are needed for its eradication,” the MNAs said at the floor of the House.

Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked Iran’s parliament and the Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini in Tehran on Wednesday morning, killing at least 12 people in a twin assault at the heart of the Islamic Republic, Iranian officials and media said.

The NA also passed a unanimous resolution condemning the terrorist attacks on Iranian parliament and mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini.

The resolution moved by Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid expressed solidarity with the people and Parliament of brotherly neighbour Iran.

The resolution reiterated the resolve to jointly combat the menace of terrorism with our neighbours in the region.

Speaking on the issue of diplomatic rift among some Muslim countries, the members said that the Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar and all other Muslim countries are equally important for Pakistan.

They said that Pakistan should play a neutral role to mediate for the amicable resolution of the differences among the Muslim countries.

The House also adopted another unanimous resolution expressing deep concerns over the recent developments in relations involving brotherly Muslim states in the Gulf region including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The resolution moved by Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao called upon all the countries to show restraints and resolve all differences through dialogue.

Read More: Twelve dead as attackers raid Iran parliament, Khomeini’s mausoleum

The resolution also called upon the government to take concrete steps towards forging unity among the Muslim Ummah in the region.

Later, the House resumed general discussion on the budget for the next fiscal year.

Members belonging to opposition parties staged a walkout from the House to press their demand for live broadcast of the speech of the Leader of the Opposition on PTV.

Taking part in the discussion, Iftikharuddin said steps should be taken for the promotion of tourism in the country particularly in the Northern Areas. He said the security clearance of the tourists should also be made easy on fast track.

Rajab Ali Baloch said that the opposition leader has made small parties hostage and they are not being allowed to speak about the problems of their constituencies. He said the the members of the small political parties should participate in the budget discussion to present their point of view.

Tehmina Daultana said that the ruling party has sacrificed a lot for strengthening democracy in the country. She said it was result of the efforts of the government that a balanced and pro-people budget has been presented in the House.

Iftikhar Nazir congratulated the government on presenting a balanced budget. He said the completion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project will open new avenues of development in the country besides creation of job opportunities.

Among others who spoke on the occasion include Javed Latif, Sabiha Nazir, Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Muhammad Khan Daha, Farhana Qamar, Waheed Alam Khan, Pir Syed Muhammad Aslam Bodla, Nisar Ahmad Jatt, Kiran Haider, Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sherazi, Romina Khurshid Alam and Chaudhary Hamid Hameed.