From Abid Usman
LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday strongly condemned India’s unilateral actions in occupied Kashmir by unanimously passing a resolution against Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, while detained PTI members were also released and brought back to the House.
Punjab Assembly passes Kashmir resolution
A one-point session of the Punjab Assembly was held to mark August 5 — the day India revoked the special status of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
The resolution, tabled by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, rejected India’s move to illegally change the status of the disputed region. It stated that the actions taken by India on August 5, 2019, were unlawful and against international norms, and reiterated solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
Lawmakers from both government and opposition benches raised their voices in support of Kashmiris and denounced India’s attempts to alter the region’s demography and political status.
Detained opposition members released
Earlier, several opposition members were detained during a protest but were later released on the orders of Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, with the support of the parliamentary affairs minister.
The police brought Iqbal Khattak, Moin Qureshi, and Farrukh Javed Moon from custody to the assembly, where they were officially released.
Sources said the speaker had directed the police to present the detained members in the House, prompting authorities to comply and facilitate their return.
Opposition member Ahmar Rasheed Bhatti addressed the assembly, stating that “the honour of the House will only be restored when all members are present and united”.
Solidarity with Kashmiris
The resolution and united stance of the assembly reflect Pakistan’s continued support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. The event reaffirmed the political consensus in Punjab on condemning India’s actions in Kashmir and defending the rights of oppressed communities.
