ISLAMABAD:
The federal government has authorised direct flights from Quetta to facilitate pilgrims travelling to Iran and Iraq for Arbaeen, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif announced in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
During the session — chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq — the house unanimously passed two resolutions marking Youm-e-Istehsal, condemning atrocities in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, opposition members continued their protest over the conviction of senior party leaders in May 9 cases. Some federal ministers responded by mocking the PTI-led protest movement, while the law minister reiterated the government’s offer for dialogue.
In a policy statement, Defence Minister Asif highlighted the security threats faced by pilgrims along the 800-kilometre overland route from Quettaparticularly the risk of terrorist attacks in Balochistan.
“To mitigate these risks, the federal government has authorised direct flights from Quetta for Arbaeen pilgrims,” he said, adding that one flight had already commenced, with additional daily services planned to meet demand.
Asif said all licensed private airlines had been invited to operate on the route, and permission was also granted for chartered flights to maximise capacity.
He noted that Iran had approved an additional flight for Pakistani pilgrims following discussions during the Iranian president’s recent visit.
“The government is committed to ensuring safe, comfortable, and timely transportation for all Arbaeen pilgrims,” the minister added.
Resolution on Kashmir
The house unanimously adopted two resolutions, condemning India’s actions in IIOJK on Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, marking the sixth anniversary of India’s revocation of Articles 370 and 35A.
The resolutions were moved by Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Shazia Marri and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Amir Muqam. However, the proceedings were marred by opposition protests, which accused the government of stifling dissent.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry criticised the PTI’s protest, stating, “Today is for Kashmir, but you are observing Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Imran.” He accused PTI of exploiting the session for political gains, prompting opposition uproar.
PTI protest
PTI’s Aamir Dogar accused the government of “political victimisation,” claiming that 10 National Assembly members were “picked up” but the speaker did not take any action. Demanding justice, he said that the PTI founder was in jail for refusing to budge.
Speaker Sadiq countered, saying that he had issued the production orders. The speaker also apprised the house of PTI MNA Sheikh Waqas Akram’s unexplained absence for 40 days, saying that under Article 64 his seat could be declared vacant.
PML-N’s Nosheen Iftikhar moved a motion to declare Akram’s seat vacant, however, Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah stressed the need for seeing whether the motion followed the rules.
