File- AFP (From Outlook 25 February 2013)
Now India, Pakistan Spar Over Afzal Guru
Trying to fish in troubled waters, Pakistan's parliament today passed a resolution condemning the hanging of Afzal Guru and demanded the return of his body to his family.

India reacted strongly to the resolution with Minister for External Affairs Salman Khurshid saying, "This shows Pakistan's unhealthy interest in matters of our country," adding, "Pakistan should restrict themselves to their issues."

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath also said that India has taken the step to hang Guru as per its law.

"India, as a responsible country, is doing things constitutionally, and as per the law. For the Parliament of Pakistan to pass such a resolution is highly improper," he said.

Two days before it completes its five-year term, the National Assembly or lower house of parliament passed the resolution moved by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who heads a special parliamentary panel on Kashmir.

Besides condemning the hanging of Guru, 2001 Parliament attack convict, the resolution expressed concern at the situation created in Jammu and Kashmir by the execution.

The House called for Guru's body to be handed over to his family. Guru was hanged and buried within Tihar Jail in Delhi in February.

His execution triggered protests in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan-based terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed have vowed to take revenge for the hanging.

The parliamentary resolution further said the international community should not remain as silent spectators in efforts to find a solution to the Kashmir dispute.

It said steps should be taken to implement the United Nations Security Council's resolutions on the Kashmir issue.

The resolution called for an end to alleged killings in Jammu and Kashmir and the removal of the army from towns and cities of the Kashmir Valley.

It further said all prisoners should be freed, "black laws" repealed and curfew withdrawn from the region.

The resolution also said authorities should end curfew, lift a "blackout" of the media and free jailed Kashmiri leaders and youth.

There should be no restrictions on religious activities and international human rights groups should be allowed to visit Jammu and Kashmir, the resolution said.

It contended that the Kashmiri people were engaged in a movement for their right to self-determination.

The House said Kashmiris were "not alone in this movement as the whole of Pakistan was with them'.

The resolution reiterated Pakistan's diplomatic, political and moral support for the Kashmiri people.

It further contended that the Kashmir region was a disputed area and not an "internal issue of India".

Emerging story. Watch this space for updates as more details come in
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5/D-65
Mar 15, 2013
09:29 AM

The Pakistan government's concern about the late Afzal Guru is understandable considering  that Guru was acting in furtherance of Pakistan's interests.

Bonita, Chennai
4/D-54
Mar 15, 2013
08:19 AM

 If we stop fuming about this 'Resolution' for a moment and consider its real impact, what does it mean exactly?  Unless there is a written demand or a diplomatic note or whatever they call it officially, why should a resolution passed in their Parliament evoke such a strong response from the government? Suppose our Parliament passes a resolution asking them to send Hafeez Sayeed immediately to India to stand trial, would they bother? Instead, we should retaliate strongly whenever Pakistan state sponsored terrorist acts take place by physical deeds and not words. Pakistan has long ago learnt that our bark is ineffective and we will never bite.

N.S.Rajan, bangalore
3/D-199
Mar 14, 2013
11:01 PM

This action of Pakistan's Parliament is an intolerable interference in India's domestic affairs. It is mischievous, provocative and highly objectionable.

Anwaar, Dallas
2/D-184
Mar 14, 2013
09:28 PM

This is a slap on India's foreign policy by the terrorist sponsoring, criminally bigoted and constitutionally and ideologically communal entity of Pakistan. But I don't expect a response from India exceptr some muttered nonsense.

Gurudev Shorey, Houston
1/D-170
Mar 14, 2013
07:16 PM

Pakistan has acted true to its nature,plain f   kers

wrongone, chennai
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