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

The federal government has authorized the Balochistan government to operate direct flights from Quetta to facilitate Shia pilgrims traveling to Iran and Iraq for Arbaeen, Defence 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, “allowing pilgrims to travel safely by air to their destinations”.

He informed the House that overland travel along the 800-kilometre route from Quetta had been restricted due to serious security concerns, particularly the threat of terrorist attacks targeting pilgrim convoys.

Asif said one such flight has already been launched and the government is vying for either two flights daily or at least one regular service to meet growing demand. He said arrangements have also been made for onward transportation from airports in Iran and Iraq to the pilgrims’ intended sites.

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

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

“These measures are aimed at offering maximum facilities while avoiding the security hazards of road travel,” he said, urging potential operators and the market to take full advantage of the permissions granted.

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

“I want to assure the House and the people across Pakistan that the government is fully committed to ensuring safe, comfortable, and timely transportation for all Arbaeen pilgrims,” he added.

Resolution on Youm-e-Istehsal

The National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to mark Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir (Kashmir Exploitation Day), condemning India’s actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), amid heated protests and sloganeering by opposition members.

During the session, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, on a point of order, said, “today is being observed as Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, but you are observing Youm-e-Istehsal-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 upholding the dignity and smooth functioning 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, let’s talk’.”

He claimed that under the guise of peaceful protest, armed groups had launched attacks. He questioned whether the Kashmir day or PTI’s exploitation narrative was more important, prompting another round of opposition uproar.

Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq urged calm and requested the House to allow Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam to present a resolution on Kashmir first. Muqam appealed to the opposition to permit passage of the resolution, assuring them they could protest afterward. The opposition paused their protest to allow the resolution.

Amir Muqam, presenting the resolution, said India continues to unleash atrocities on the Kashmiri people. “India unilaterally and illegally abrogated Articles 370 and 35A,” he said, adding that thousands of youth had been martyred, children orphaned, and women widowed.

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

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

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

Later in the session, PTI MNA Aamir Dogar criticized the government, saying, “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. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq responded by asking, “Did I not issue production orders?”

Dogar claimed that Sheikh Waqas Akram’s applications had been submitted to the Speaker’s office.

“You subjected MNAs to political victimization,” he said. “The PTI founder is in jail because he refused to bow down. Had he bowed, he would’ve been in this House,” he said. “If all of this is to be done, then lock down the House.”