LAHORE - The Punjab Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution expressing solidarity with the people of Balochistan, and lauding PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif’s recent statement pledging his party’s unflinching support to fight the case of the neglected province. The House opined that prompt and concrete actions must be taken to end sense of deprivation among the Balochis to bring them in the national mainstream.
Though the Opposition was in agreement with all contents of the resolution, yet it insisted on making it a joint one, moved by parliamentary heads of all political parties having representation in the Assembly. The opposition members, Ashraf Sohna, Ehsanul Haq Naulatia, Zaheeruddin Ahmad, Fouzia Behram and Seemal Kamran said that since no party in the House was opposed to the resolution, it should be redrafted and jointly moved by all the parties. The PPP legislators also wanted changes in the text to include federal govt’s initiatives taken so far to ameliorate the lot of Baloch people. They specifically mentioned the “Aghaz-e-Balochistan Package” in this regard. Law Minister, however, did not concede to Opposition’s demand. He said the resolution was only meant to give a message of solidarity from Punjab to the distressed people of Balochistan in the wake of a recent meeting between PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif and BNP leader, Sardar Ataullah Khan Mengal. When the law minister did not budge an inch from his stance, the Opposition pointed out quorum to give vent to its displeasure.