‘Tit for tat,’ Govt to table resolution to counter US resolution on Pakistan: DPM

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar informed the National Assembly on Thursday that the government would bring a resolution in the House to counter the resolution passed by the US House of Representatives on June 25.

Winding up the discussion on a cut motions, he said, “The government has taken note of the resolution passed by the US House of Representatives on Pakistan. We will also pass a resolution in response to the US’s resolution, and the draft resolution will be shared with the opposition and treasury benches.”

He said, “We must show our sovereignty and unity. We must show we mean business… I will request all to come together and present a clear resolution in response to the US resolution.”

The deputy prime minister also read out a statement earlier issued by the Foreign Office saying, “Pakistan has taken note of the passage of House Resolution 901 by the US House of Representatives on June 25. We believe that the timing and context of this particular resolution do not align well with the positive dynamics of our bilateral ties and stem from an incomplete understanding of the political situation and electoral process in Pakistan. Pakistan, as the world’s second-largest parliamentary democracy and fifth-largest democracy overall, is committed to the values of constitutionalism, human rights, and the rule of law in pursuance of our own national interest.”

He said that Pakistan believed in constructive dialogue and engagement based on mutual respect and understanding. Such resolutions, he noted, were neither constructive nor objective.

“We hope that the US Congress will play a supportive role in strengthening Pakistan-US ties and focus on avenues of mutual collaboration that benefit both our peoples and countries,” he added.

He thanked friendly countries for their support on the matter.  He said that due to Pakistan’s lobbying efforts, the OIC had appointed a permanent envoy on Islamophobia for the first time.

The deputy prime minister rejected the impression that Pakistan faced isolation at the international level, pointing out that Pakistan had been elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council by securing 182 votes out of 187, which showed the confidence of the international community in Pakistan.