Inappropriate statements about martyrs condemnable: Qasim Noon

LAHORE, Jul 18 (APP):Federal Minister and Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon has paid rich tribute to the sacrifices of martyrs and said that inappropriate statements about the martyrs are condemnable, the entire nation is indebted to their sacrifices.

He was addressing the business community here at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Saturday. LCCI Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi, former President Mian Anjum Nisar and

Executive Committee members were also present.

He said, sustainable peace in South Asia is not possible without a just solution to the Kashmir issue. Political stability is the basis of economic prosperity, and the present government has presented the best budget despite difficult economic conditions, he added.

Federal Minister described the Lahore Chamber as an important institution of the country’s economy and said that this institution, consisting of more than 45,000 members, is playing a significant role in the promotion of the national economy and trade.

Appreciating the leadership of the chamber and the services of the business community, he said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also been the president of this Chamber and his commitment to business sector is clear to everyone.

Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon said that the current budget has been prepared keeping in mind the ground realities and economic conditions, therefore it should also be reviewed in the light of these facts. Legitimate demands of the business community will be conveyed to the Finance Minister and the relevant leadership, and there is a need to make full use of other trade opportunities including GSP Plus.

He said that Pakistan Army, police and the people have made unprecedented sacrifices in the war against terrorism. More than one hundred thousand Pakistanis were martyred while the country had to bear billions of dollars in economic losses. However, Pakistan is still playing the role of a frontline state against terrorism. Paying tribute to the sacrifices of the martyrs, he said that inappropriate statements about the martyrs are condemnable, the entire nation is indebted to the sacrifices of the martyrs.

The federal minister said that after the Pahalgam incident, India took the path of aggression against Pakistan without any investigation, however, Pakistan responded forcefully and the entire nation demonstrated unity. He said that after winning the battle of truth (Marka-i-Haq), Pakistan also achieved important successes on the diplomatic front, for which the credit goes to the Prime Minister and the Field Marshal.

He said that as a result, the Kashmir issue once again became prominent on the global stage, Pakistan also played a positive role in mediating between Iran and the US and these successes are not being tolerated by the enemy, which is why enemy elements are now conspiring to create unrest in the country. He said that India is committing serious human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, millions of Kashmiris are being deprived of basic rights, young people are being imprisoned and attempts are being made to change the population ratio through fake domiciles. He demanded that a just solution to the Kashmir issue be found in accordance with UN resolutions and that international human rights organizations raise their voices against Indian atrocities.

Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon said that the Father of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had declared Kashmir as the jugular vein of Pakistan, and that until the Kashmir issue is resolved, lasting peace cannot be established in South Asia. He said that India is violating the Indus Waters Treaty, which Pakistan has vigorously raised at international forums. He said that India is not only interfering in the region but also in other countries and is involved in terrorist activities and is also mistreating its minorities, especially Kashmiris and Sikhs. He said that conspiracies are going on against Pakistan, however, the government is determined to completely eradicate terrorism and all the relevant institutions are united for this purpose. On this occasion, Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh said that a strong economy is the foundation of a stable state, the business community is playing its full role in stabilizing the national economy. He said that Pakistan’s armed forces are making great sacrifices against terrorism, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, the Kashmir issue is the main pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy and sustainable peace in South Asia is linked to its just resolution. He said that Pakistan has made unprecedented sacrifices in the war against terrorism in the last two decades. He also stressed the need for a “Charter of Economy” for the continuity of the national economic policy.