Parliament House, Islamabad
A Round-Table Discussion on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) has been held in the National Assembly of Pakistan. The discussion commenced with a detailed briefing by Hon. Syed Naveed Qamar, MP Pakistan and Convener, PGA Program for Democracy and Peace, on BGIPU ATT Seminar and Role of MPs Pakistan. The Chair thanked the parliamentarians for their strong support and commitment to an effective ATT.
Hon. Syed Naveed Qamar said that Pakistan is a country which has suffered greatly as a result of terrorist activities. We have lost over nine thousand Pakistani soldiers and policemen, and over 40,000 civilians. Pakistan's first elected woman Prime Minister and great leader Benazir Bhutto was also martyred through the bullets and bombs of terrorists. Terrorism and extremism have destroyed human lives, torn social fabric, and devastated the economy in our country.
He further added that Terrorists thrives when controls on weapon exports are week so it is very much in Pakistan’s interest to join this treaty. This will not only help to combat terrorism and crime by steadily reducing the unfettered proliferation of weapons but also It will protect the legitimate arms trade, to access and acquire weaponry to lawfully defend ourselves. He urged Parliamentarians to play an active role in encouraging federal governments to initiate legislation and overseeing government implementation for this very universal cause.
The event was attended by Hon. Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, Convener PGA Pakistan, Hon. Mehmood Khan Achakzai MP, Hon. Mehreen Razak Bhutto MP, Pir Aslam Bodla MP, Hon. Mian Abdul Manan MP, Hon. Raja Muhammad Ikhlas MP, Hon. M. Junaid Anwaar MP, Hon. Shahida Akhtar Ali MP and Hon. Muhammad Pervaiz Malik MP.
Hon. Parliamentarians appreciated efforts of the Chair on the issue and committed to play their due role in the best interest of country. In the end, it was decided that second round on the follow-up discussion will be held in the mid of December. The Chair thanked MPs for their interest and active participation.