Musharraf’s Kashmir options: MMA wants debate in National Assembly

<>iBy Mohammad Imran

ISLAMABAD: The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) is to submit a privilege motion in the National Assembly Secretariat to discuss President General Pervez Musharraf’s articulation of possible solutions to the Kashmir issue.

Six parliamentarians from the MMA have also submitted a call-attention notice asking for a debate on the issue in the National Assembly. “The MMA will submit another privilege motion on Kashmir. A privilege motion on this issue was also submitted in the National Assembly in late October,” sources told Daily Times.

Gen Musharraf suggested last month that India and Pakistan identify geographical regions of Kashmir, demilitarise them, and then change their status, which could include independence, joint control, or some kind of UN control. According to the MMA privilege motion submitted in October, these options are against the national view on the Kashmir issue and a U-turn on Pakistan’s previous policy.

The privilege motion said that the president’s “irresponsible and unrealistic statements” breached the privilege of the house. As such, after a debate on the issue, the motion should be referred to the house Privilege Committee.

Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Liaqat Baloch, Qari Gul Rehman, Farid Ahmed Paracha, Muhammad Usman, Asadullah Bhutto, Sahibzada Abu Al Kahar, Maulana Syed Naseeb Ali Shah and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidry of the MMA submitted the privilege motion. The call-attention notice said Gen Musharraf’s suggestions caused concern among the public and the house should take notice of them.

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