IOJ&K will be free: President Dr Arif Alvi

Last updated on: 21 August,2020 11:23 am

He said Pakistan is at a tipping point.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday expressed hope that Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) will be free and we cannot leave our Kashmiri brothers and sisters alone.

Addressing the joint session of parliament to mark the beginning of the new parliamentary year, he congratulated the parliament for completing two years, and said he was honoured to be speaking there for the third time.

The president while congratulating Prime Minister Imran Khan on Kashmir policy said that the speech in the United Nations General Assembly and the discussion of the Kashmir issue in the United Nations is a victory, adding that India has violated every Geneva Convention, Shimla Agreement and UN resolutions.

He said that minorities are not being treated well in India and the tensions in the neighbouring country will not be good for us either.

Speaking about the situation of coronavirus in Pakistan and the steps taken against it, Dr Alvi said that 70,000 new cases had been reported in India on Wednesday while only 600 new cases had been reported in Pakistan.

He appreciated the government for imposing smart lockdown in the country, adding that the government’s policy to check Coronavirus has also been acknowledged by the world.

He said the government was under pressure to impose strict lockdown but the government adopted the vision that it would not be allow the poor people to die of hunger. The Taraweeh prayers could not be commenced in 57 countries due to coronavirus while the prayers continued in Pakistan.

He said: “Institutions, including the parliament, executive, judiciary, armed forces and media are on the same page for socio-economic justice, corruption elimination and to remove all impediments in the way of national development.”

The president said the youth should pursue their religious, cultural, and social values to become responsible citizens and to serve the nation. He stressed that continuation of democracy and democratic traditions are imperative for a bright future of Pakistan.

“Under the Ehsaas Programme cash assistance of 12,000 rupees were provided to 1,69,00,000 families,” Dr Alvi said and added our health facilities prepared to cope with the COVID-19 challenge were more than the requirements.

Dr Alvi said: "Pakistan is at a tipping point where it should be reviewed what has been done so far, what should have been done, and what should be done in the future."