ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution strongly rejecting recent remarks attributed to Israel, expressing concern over what it termed provocative narratives affecting the unity of the Muslim Ummah.
The resolution was moved by Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan in the Upper House on behalf of all parties.
The resolution took strong exception to statements perceived as undermining regional stability and international legal norms.
The House criticised Israel’s policies and actions, citing disregard for international law, the UN Charter, relevant United Nations resolutions, and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.
The Senate rejected any attempts to alter the legal or historical status of the occupied Palestinian territories, including holy sites, and condemned settlement expansion and displacement of Palestinians.
The House deplored what it described as continued provocative steps and statements by Israeli leadership that could threaten regional and international peace.
The resolution also condemned any efforts aimed at undermining the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Islamic countries, while rejecting Israel’s reported announcement recognising the independence of Somaliland, describing it as inconsistent with international principles.
The Senate urged the international community to ensure accountability and end impunity for actions violating international humanitarian and human rights laws.
It demanded full Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories and called for increased, sustained, and unimpeded humanitarian assistance for Palestinians, particularly in Gaza.
The House emphasised the need for early recovery and reconstruction efforts and reiterated Pakistan’s historic and unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
The resolution reaffirmed support for the establishment of an independent, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar informed the Senate that the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was examined by a medical board comprising four expert specialist doctors at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
Responding to various points raised by leader of the Opposition in Senate Raja Nasir Abbas, he said that the former prime minister was taken to PIMS with his consent, where a board comprising both government and private specialist doctors conducted a detailed medical examination.
He said the medical board evaluated the patient’s health condition, including ophthalmological assessment, cardiac evaluation and general medical review.
The minister said the examination was carried out within the framework of the law and jail manual, emphasising that medical procedures for prisoners were governed strictly under existing legal provisions.
Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the law did not permit special arrangements outside the prescribed rules, noting that medical assessments must be conducted in accordance with established regulations.
He informed the House that specialist doctors, including Prof. Nadeem Qureshi from Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, a retinal expert, and Prof. Arif, Head of Ophthalmology at PIMS, participated in the medical evaluation.
The minister said necessary treatment, including administration of prescribed doses, was provided following consultations among the medical experts.
He further said cardiologists conducted tests, including ECG and echocardiogram, while laboratory investigations were also carried out.
Azam Nazeer Tarar explained that the examination was scheduled at night due to security and operational considerations, stating that such arrangements helped minimize disruption at the hospital.
He said the decision was taken to ensure smooth medical procedures without affecting emergency services and routine patient care.
He said that matters relating to release, bail or foreign travel of a convicted prisoner fell under the jurisdiction of courts.
Azam Nazeer Tarar reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing legal provisions without discrimination, citing Article 25 of the Constitution regarding equality before the law.
Meanwhile, responding to a point raised by Kamran Murtaza about compensation to victims of G-11 Kacheri blast, the minister said the government ensured an immediate response, with senior officials, including the interior minister, promptly rushed to the site and supervised relief efforts.
He termed the incident unfortunate and informed the House that medical treatment of the injured was closely monitored, while assistance was provided in accordance with government policies.
The minister said the government extended support to the bereaved family through relevant institutions and added that injured individuals were also provided necessary assistance.
He further informed the House that on the directives of Prime Minister, a comprehensive compensation package had been approved in this regard.
Meanwhile, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary informed the Senate that the government was implementing measures aligned with international safety standards to control road accidents, including registration of FIRs against serious violations and cancellation of driving licences.
Responding to a Calling Attention Notice raised by Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro regarding frequent fatal accidents on National Highway in Sindh due to lack of safety measures, the minister said road safety measures were being enforced uniformly across the country without any provincial discrimination.
He rejected the impression of discrepancies in safety enforcement on national highways, stating that accident prevention policies remained consistent throughout Pakistan.
The minister acknowledged that the number of fatalities from road accidents in Pakistan was comparatively higher than many other countries.
Providing details regarding Sindh, he said a 936-kilometre network of national highways fell within the province, including major routes such as the M-9, N-5 and N-55.
He said round-the-clock patrolling was being carried out on key highways, while additional monitoring was ensured during peak traffic hours to minimize risks.
Tariq Fazal said awareness initiatives, including road safety campaigns, seminars and educational programmes, were being conducted across all provinces, including Sindh.
Highlighting recent policy shifts, he said the government had introduced stricter enforcement mechanisms aimed at deterrence.
He said penalties for over-speeding had been enhanced, while vehicles involved in serious violations could now be impounded following the registration of FIRs.
The minister informed the House that the cancellation of driving licences had also been introduced as a preventive measure against reckless driving.
He said the new enforcement framework was designed to discourage habitual violations, noting that financial penalties alone often proved ineffective.
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