Direct flights from Quetta approved to facilitate Arbaeen -Pilgrims: Khawaja Asif

The federal government has authorized the Balochistan government to drive direct flights from Quetta to ease Shia -Pilgrimme traveling to Iran and Iraq for the Arbaeen, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told the National Assembly on Tuesday.

“To mitigate these risks, the federal government authorized the Balochistan Government to operate direct flights from Quetta,” he said, “let pilgrims travel safely with air to their destinations.”

He informed the house that Overland is traveling along the 800 -kilometer route from Quetta had been limited due to serious security concerns, especially the threat of terrorist attacks aimed at pilgrimage convoys.

Asif said such a flight has already been launched and the government is fighting for either two flights daily or at least a regular service to meet the growing demand. He said that events have also been made for further transport from airports in Iran and Iraq to Pilgrims’ intended places.

The minister added that ads were issued over the past four days inviting private airlines to operate on the route and that all licensed carriers have been authorized. Charted aircraft are also approved to maximize safe travel capacity.

Read: SEX MPAs arrested in Punjab as PTI launches ‘nationwide’ protest

“These measures aim to offer maximum facilities while avoiding safety trips by road trips,” he said, calling on potential operators and the market to take full advantage of the permits granted.

He said the case had also been discussed during the recent visit by the Iranian president of Pakistan, after which Iran had allowed a further flight to support the movement of Pakistani pilgrims.

“I want to assure the house and the people everywhere in Pakistan that the government is fully obliged to ensure safe, comfortable and timely transport for all the Arbaeen pilgrims,” he added.

Resolution at Yom-E-Sestehsal

The National Assembly unanimously adopted a decision to mark the YouM-E-Sestehsal-E-Kashmir (Kashmir exploitation day), who condemned India’s actions in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), in the midst of warmed protests and slogan riding of opposition members.

During the session, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs said Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry at an order point: “Today today is observed as YouM-E-Sestehsal-e-Kashmir, but you observe the YouM-E-Desal-E-Imran (Imran Exploitation Day).”

He added that the latter “could have been observed on another day.”

Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the opposition had an equal role in maintaining the dignity and smooth function of the house. The opposition staged a protest over not being allowed to speak.

“The Prime Minister went to the opposition leader’s seat and said, ‘Come on, let’s talk’.”

He claimed that armed groups under Dekke of peaceful protest had launched attacks. He questioned whether Kashmir’s day or PTI’s exploitation narrative was more important, which got another round of opposition rebellion.

Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq urged tranquility and requested the house to give Kashmir affairs Amir Muqam the opportunity to present a decision on Kashmir first. Muqam appealed to the opposition to allow the passage of the decision and assured them that they could protest afterwards. The opposition paused their protest to allow the decision.

Amir Muqam, who presents the decision, said India continues to loosen atrocities on the Kashmiri people. “India is one -sided and illegally abolished articles 370 and 35a,” he said, adding that thousands of young people had been martyrated, children’s orphans and women widow.

Read more: SEX MPAs arrested in Punjab as PTI launches ‘nationwide’ protest

“Despite these atrocities, the love of Pakistan in the heart of Kashmiris has not diminished,” he said.

The resolution, which was moved by Muqam, condemned India’s actions on August 5, 2019, called them a violation of the Geneva Conventions and condemned Indian statements regarding Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. It called for the implementation of UN decisions and required access to UN observers for IIOJK.

Later at the session, PTI MNA Aamir Dogar criticized the government and said, “You have sentenced our members to ten years each.”

He added, “If everyone is thrown out, what kind of house is this?” And claimed that ten MNAs were “lifted” from the house without any action from the speaker. Talking Ayaz Sadiq replied by asking, “Did I not issued production orders?”

Dogar claimed that Sheikh Waqa’s Acram’s applications had been submitted to the speaker office.

“You exposed MNA to political victims,” he said. “The PTI founder is in prison because he refused to bow. Had he bent, he would have been in this house,” he said. “If all this is to be done, lock the house down.”