Direct flights from Quetta approved to facilitate the pilgrims of Arbaeen: Khawaja Asif

The Federal Government has authorized the Baluchistan government to operate direct flights from Quetta to facilitate Shiite pilgrims traveling to Iran and Iraq for Arbaeen, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Tuesday to the National Assembly.

“To mitigate these risks, the federal government authorized the Baluchistan government to operate direct flights from Quetta,” he said, “allowing pilgrims to travel safely to their destinations.”

He informed the house to travel through the land along the 800 -kilometer route since Quetta had been restricted due to serious security concerns, particularly the threat of terrorist attacks aimed at pilgrim convoys.

Asif said that one of those flights has already been launched and that the government competes for two daily flights or at least one regular service to meet the growing demand. He said that arrangements have also been made for continuous transport from airports in Iran and Iraq to the planned sites of the pilgrims.

The minister added that announcements were issued in the last four days inviting private airlines to operate on the route, and that all licensed carriers have been granted permission. Raised flights have also been approved to maximize safe travel capacity.

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“These measures are aimed at offering maximum facilities while preventing the safety risks of road trips,” he said, urging potential operators and the market to make the most of the permits granted.

He said that the matter had also been discussed during the recent visit of Iranian President to Pakistan, after which Iran had allowed an additional flight to support the movement of Pakistani pilgrims.

“I want to assure the Chamber and people of all Pakistan that the government is completely committed to guaranteeing safe, comfortable and timely transport for all Arbaeen pilgrims,” he added.

Resolution in YOM-E-Instehsal

The National Assembly unanimously approved a resolution to mark YOERM-E-Instehsal-E-Kashmir (Kashmir Exploitation Day), condemning the actions of India in Jammu and Cashmira illegally occupied (Iiojk), amidas protests and opposition lenses.

During the session, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, at a point of order, said: “Today is being observed as Yom-E-Intehsal-E-Kashmir, but is observing YOM-E-Instehsal-E-Iimran (Imran exploitation day).”

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

Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the opposition had an equal role in defending the dignity and soft functioning of the house. The opposition organized a protest for not being able to speak.

“The prime minister went to the opposition leader headquarters and said: ‘Come, let’s talk.”

He said that under the appearance of peaceful protest, armed groups had launched attacks. He questioned whether Cashmiro’s day or PTI’s exploitation narrative was more important, which caused another opposition round.

President Sardar Ayaz Sadiq urged the calm and asked the Chamber to allow the Minister of Request Muir Muqam Affairs to present a Kashmir resolution first. Muqam appealed to the opposition to allow the resolution, assuring them that they could protest later. The opposition stopped its protest to allow resolution.

Amir Muqam, presenting the resolution, said that India continues to unleash atrocities in the town of Kashmir. “India unilaterally and illegally abrogated articles 370 and 35a,” he said, adding that thousands of young people had been martyred, orphaned children and widdle women.

Read more: Six MPA arrested on Punjab while PTI launches the ‘nationwide’ protest

“Despite these atrocities, love for Pakistan in Kashmir hearts has not decreased,” he said.

The resolution, moved by Muqam, condemned the actions of India on August 5, 2019, described a violation of Geneva’s conventions and denounced Indian statements regarding Azad Cashmira and Gilgit-Baltistan. He requested the UN resolution implementation and demanded access for UN observers to IIOJK.

Later in the session, PTI Mna Aamir Dogar criticized the government, saying: “You have condemned our members to ten years each.”

He added: “If all are expelled, what kind of house is this?” and said that ten mna were “raised” from the house without any action of the speaker. The speaker Ayaz Sadiq replied asking: “Didn’t I emit production orders?”

Dogar said the requests of Sheikh Waqas Akram had been submitted to the speaker’s office.

“You submitted MNA to political victimization,” he said. “The founder of PTI is in jail because he refused to lean. If he had leaned, he would have been in this house,” he said. “If all this must be done, block the house.”