Nato airstrikes grilled in joint House resolution

LAHORE-The Punjab Assembly on Monday passed a unanimous resolution expressing anger over the NATO attacks of November 26 on Pakistani check posts, and termed it an attack on countrys sovereignty. The resolution was jointly moved by PPP, PML-N, PML-Q, PML-F and MMA, while Punjab Minister for Law, Rana Sana Ullah moved it in the House. It was passed unanimously after some discussion by Assembly members. Through the resolution, the Assembly lodged its strong protest over naked aggression by NATO forces, expressing solidarity with the Pakistan Army for loss of precious lives of its soldiers and officers. The provincial Assembly also supported the federal government for its decision to suspend NATO supplies, boycott of Bonn Conference and evacuation of Shamsi Airbase from the US. Earlier, taking part in the discussion, Leader of the Opposition, Raja Riaz lauded the federal governments actions following the NATO strike, as he termed these in accordance with peoples aspirations. He said PPP government would do all that which was necessary to safeguard countrys sovereignty. PML-Qs Parliamentary Leader, Ch Zaheeruddin opined that all supplies to from Pakistan should remain suspended till the time its forces started respecting Pakistans sovereignty. He demanded that Shahbaz Airbase should also be got vacated from the Americans. Zaheer said that it was big achievement of the civilian government to suspend all sort of cooperation with the NATO forces in Afghanistan. Ali Haider Noor Niazi of MMA called for permanent closure of NATO supplies and welcomed Pakistan Armys decision to shoot down American drones entering countrys air space in future. Representing the PML-N, Punjab Law Minister, Rana Sana Ullah endorsed the views expressed by representatives of other parties and moved the resolution for its passage at the end of the discussion. Earlier, Mohsin Leghari of PML-Q lodged protest with Deputy Speaker, Rana Mashhood Khan for rejection of his resolution already submitted in the Assembly secretariat on the same subject. He was asked to contact his partys Parliamentary Leader, Ch Zaheer who had consented in the meeting of Business Advisory Committee to move a unanimous resolution on the issue. Mohsin Legharis complaint in the House was reflective of lack of coordination.