The Senate on Monday unanimously passed a resolution, condemning killings and arrests of Kashmiris in Indian occupied Kashmir, with a call to UN to implement its resolutions immediately besides holding impartial plebiscite in Kashmir under its own supervision.

The resolution moved by Senators Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Sehar Kamran, unanimously adopted by the House, stated that Senate condemns the brutal use of force by Indian troops on innocent Kashmiris which resulted in killing of innocent people.

"The UN must get its resolutions implemented immediately and hold a transparent plebiscite in the valley under its own supervision," said Mushahid, adding "the recent wave of brutal and extra-judicial killings of Kashmiri Muslims and maiming of boys and girls by Indian forces in IOK is not acceptable".

The House called upon United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), international human rights watchdogs and international community to play their due role against Indian atrocities on innocent people by Indian troops.

It called upon the government to take up the issue at international level besides making efforts to resolve the issue at diplomatic level, saying the Indian atrocities on innocent Kashmiris who are fighting for their right to self-determination, have crossed all the limits of decency that can not over overlooked.

Tribute to Edhi

The Senate passed a resolution, paying glowing tributes to famed social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi, who died recently, for his philanthropic work.

The lawmakers were also unanimous in saying that among a nation often divided by social, ethnic and religious strife, Edhi won respect from every strata of society for an ascetic lifestyle that was only devoted to helping the poor regardless of their background.

Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani also constituted a committee that will pursue the case that Edhi be given a Nobel Prize for his service to the humanity which was acknowledged across the globe.

The committee will comprise of former Senate chairmen Muhammad Mian Soomro, Waseem Sajjad, Dr Farooq H Naek, Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, leader of the house in Senate Raja Zafarul Haq and opposition leader in Senate Aitzaz Ahsan.

When pointed out by Senator Azam Swati that Nobel Prize could not be awarded posthumously, the chairman said whether it is awarded after the death or not, the committee would pursue the case.

He also announced that each senators would contribute Rs20,000 from his/her salary, through which four ambulances would be purchased for Edhi centres in each province. The resolution moved by leader of the house Raja Zafarul Haq described Edhi as a national hero and said his death was a loss not only for Pakistan but the entire humanity.

"Edhi's services for the humanity will always be remembered despite his enormous fame and vast sums of money, Edhi adhered to a very simple life style. Edhi had a traditional Islamic background yet he had an open and progressive mind on a number of sensitive social issues," it added.

The lawmakers belonging to different political parties proposed to include special chapters on Edhi in the national curriculum, besides constructing national monument after his name as well pursuing his case that he should be given Nobel Prize.

Senator Saeed Ghani said that Edhi left for his eternal abode empty handed like he started off his journey all alone to serve the humanity, adding he accomplished his mission and that should be the spirit of all of us, which will be great tribute to him.

Mushahid Hussain Sayed said that he was a self-starter as social welfare work became fashionable, adding he believed in giving without asking for anything in return. "He'll be immortal in history and humanity," he added.

Senator Ilyas Bilour said that Edhi was not a mullah or cleric. He did his work despite all the criticism on him from some segments of society especially the hard-liners.

Senators Hasil Bizenjo, Mushahdiullah Khan, Nehal Hashmi, Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar, Khalida Perveen and Hafzi Hamdullah also spoke on the occasion.

Tribute to Amjad Sabri

The House also passed a unanimous resolution, acknowledging the great contributions of Amjad Sabri Shaheed as a qawwal, artist, and humanitarian. The resolution said that Sabri brought many laurels to Pakistan as his contributions enriched the culture of the country.

"His death is a great loss, not just for his family but also for Pakistan and the entire Muslim world. Amjad Sabri presented the work of his father and uncle in a new light, which helped the younger generation connect to qawwali, something which had not happened earlier," it added.

Sabri's death is a great loss to the world of Qawwali but his mesmerising Kalams and Qawwalis will never let him die in the hearts of his fans, it said, adding Senate expresses its strong condemnation of murder of Amjad Sabri and urges Sindh, federal governments and law enforcement agencies to take immediate action to apprehend all the culprits involved in this heinous murder. -Business Recorder