Islamabad; February 19, 2019: Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has expressed serious concern regarding the ever deteriorating situation of Human Rights in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). He said that the Kashmir is an issue of Humanitarian crisis whereas the violation of Human Rights in IOK is crystal clear for the entire world. The international community   especially the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament should take notice of deteriorating situation of Human Rights in IOK and should play its due role to maintain peace and stability in the region. He expressed these views while talking with the five member delegation of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)-UK who called on him on Tuesday. The delegation comprise of the Members of UK Parliament Naz Shah, Faisal Rasheed, Lord Rogan and officers of the UK Parliament.

The Speaker expressed that Parliamentary Diplomacy can play an important role to bring peace in the region and Pakistan is ready to start dialogue with India at parliamentary level. He said that opening of the Kartarpur Corridor was the right step to bring peace in the region but unfortunately India did not respond positively to this initiative. He said that Pakistan always wanted to maintain peace in the region so that masses in both countries can live peacefully but the present Indian Government is bent upon creating chaos in the region and wanted to contest election on the slogan of hate for Pakistan. He termed the statements of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a threat to peace of the region.

Asad Qaider said that irresponsible statements by Indian government may create mayhem in the region and may deteriorate already volatile situation. He further said that contesting elections should be on the basis of performance as well as maintain peace for future rather than on the basis of hate mongering for neighbors. Indian Government should make target to the poverty and ignorance rather than Pakistan, he added. He also regretted that India is the only country which did not even pay congratulation on his Speakership but in spite of this we formed Pakistan- India Parliamentary Friendship Group in the National Assembly of Pakistan.

While talking regarding Pakistan and UK relations, he said that Pakistan regards high its relations with UK and willing to enhance existing relations through parliamentary and economic cooperation. He stressed the need for exchange of Parliamentary delegations of both the countries so that parliamentarians can get benefits by each other experience. He said that the present parliament in Pakistan was consists of progressive political forces and determined to legislate for the welfare of masses. He appreciated the role of CPA for promoting democracy and supporting parliamentary institutions in Pakistan. He urged that the CPA should play its role for capacity building of the members and staff of Parliamentary institutions.

The members of UK Parliament stressed upon the need to maintain peace in the region. They said the United Nation Commissioner on Human Rights report on Human Rights violation in IOk must be an eye opener for India. They also expressed serious concern regarding mayhem based agenda of the present regime in India and expressed resolve to continue their efforts for peace in the region. They expressed their commitment to provide all out support to Parliamentary institutions in Pakistan. They also urged to solve the Kashmir issue through UN Security Council Resolutions on Kashmir.