NA Standing committee of Foreign Affairs meets

343

ISLAMABAD, Feb 02 (APP): The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs was held in the Parliament House, Islamabad today under the Chairmanship of Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, MNA to discuss the agenda items accordingly. The Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Division and Ministry of Law & Justice briefed the Committee on the agenda item No.(ii) “The Ratification of International Treaties Bill, 2013” moved by the Dr. Shireen Mehrunnisa Mazari, MNA who also formally introduced the bill with its salient features to the Committee for further discussion.
The Chairman asked the respective Ministries/Divisions to prepare more comprehensive briefing regarding the proposed bill in the next meeting and also send their inputs in-writing to the Committee for perusal of the Committee Members.
During the meeting the Chairman remarked on agenda item No.(iii) (a) “Budgetary proposals relating to PSDP for the financial year 2017-18” that since the PC-II is not part of the information provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, therefore, consideration on this agenda item cannot proceed unless it is provided in the next meeting for formal consideration and approval.
The briefing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on agenda item No.(iii) (b) “China, Russia and  Pakistan trilateral talks on Afghanistan issue” also deferred for the next meeting.
The Chairman also introduced a Resolution to demonstrate Solidarity with the Government and People of the Republic of Azerbaijan which was unanimously approved by the Standing Committee. The text of the resolution is as under:-
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the National Assembly of Pakistan also endorsed the resolution which is as follows:
i)              The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs condemns the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia and the genocide committed by Armenian armed forces in the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly on February 26, 1992 against civilian population. ii)            The Committee re-affirms the sovereignty and  territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders. iii)          The Committee demands implementation of resolutions of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly on immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of all Armenian forces from all the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and calls upon the international community and international organizations to urge Armenia for the implementation of these decisions. iv)          The Committee supports the efforts of the Republic of Azerbaijan to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by peaceful means.

APP/ Hamza