Parliament to express solidarity with Kashmiris today

• Parliament to pass resolution condemning India.
• Bilawal will present resolution.
• Joint session to also pass two bills.

ISLAMABAD: The joint sitting of Parliament will be held today to express solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) for their right to self-determination, reported The News on Wednesday. 

Through a resolution — to be moved by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari — the joint session will demand that India rescind its illegal and unilateral action of August 5, 2019 and subsequent measures. The lawmakers will also demand the implementation of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions to enable the Kashmiris to determine their future through an impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices.

The joint sitting will also express serious concern over the presence of more than 900,000 Indian forces which have turned the IIOJ&K into one of the most militarised regions of the world.

The two houses will also deplore the impunity with which the Indian forces continue their egregious human rights violations in the occupied territory under the draconian laws that defy the norms of justice.

According to the agenda released by the National Assembly Secretariat, the joint session will also pass the Protection of Parents Bill, 2022 and the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

The two bills passed by the National Assembly but not cleared by the Senate within 90 days would be taken into consideration at once under clause (3) of Article 70 of the Constitution.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi will move a motion that in order to create national consensus and awareness. 

The agenda also states that the parliament will discuss issues of national importance including economic policy, Jammu and Kashmir issue, respect for national institutions, China Pakistan Economic Corridor, population explosion,  Climate Change Impacts and Foreign Policy.