Senators join hands to condemn Israeli attempt to annex West Bank

The Senate on Friday unanimously passed a resolution strongly condemning the Israeli parliament’s unlawful attempt to assert “sovereignty” over the Occupied West Bank, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The Upper House of the Parliament stamped the resolution unanimously by strongly condemning the recent decision of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) to approve a resolution asserting so-called Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, in brazen violation of international law, United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the Geneva Conventions.
The resolution was moved by PPP Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan on behalf of entire House.
The resolution recalled that the West Bank is internationally recognized as occupied territory and that any unilateral annexation or claim of sovereignty is a clear affront to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The House affirmed the government and people of Pakistan’s unwavering support for the just cause of Palestine and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State, in line with the relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
The House recognized that such actions by the occupying Israeli government gravely endanger peace and stability in the region and expose the expansionist and apartheid agenda of the Israeli regime.
The House rejects and denounces the Israeli Parliament’s resolution as illegal, illegitimate, and null and void under international law.
The House demands that the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, take immediate and concrete action to halt Israeli expansionism and protect the rights of the Palestinian people;
The Senate calls upon the Government of Pakistan to intensify diplomatic efforts in collaboration with OIC and like-minded nations to resist and reverse such unlawful attempts.
The House expresses solidarity with the people of Palestine in their rightful struggle for freedom, dignity, and self-determination.

Also Read: Pakistan slams Israel’s illegal annexation attempt in Occupied West Bank

Poor mobile connectivity decried

Earlier, Senator Shahadat Awan raised alarm over widespread mobile connectivity issues affecting users across Pakistan, particularly in areas like Daman-e-Koh, Islamabad, due to the decade-long delay in implementing the 2015 Right of Way policy for telecom infrastructure.
Speaking in Senate during question hour, he underscored the urgent need for the policy’s enforcement to facilitate the expansion of fibre optic networks and installation of signal towers.
He criticized telecom providers for failing to improve coverage and urged authorities to hold them accountable. “The public is extremely frustrated by weak signals and unreliable service,” he said.
Senator Awan pointed out that entities such as Pakistan Railways and the National Highway Authority (NHA) benefit from uninterrupted right-of-way access nationwide, enabling efficient infrastructure development.
He called for similar support for telecom companies, noting that the lack of access often results in land disputes with private owners and revenue departments, stalling network expansion.
He further emphasized that written replies of his question from ministries were inadequate and called for in-depth discussions at the committee level to formulate a national strategy addressing connectivity challenges.
Responding to the query of Shahadat Awan, the minister stated that a comprehensive written reply had already been submitted and acknowledged the need to address regional disparities in mobile connectivity. Following the discussion, the Chair referred the matter to the concerned Senate committee for detailed deliberation.

Rubina Naz from KP takes oath as senator

Newly-elected Senator from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rubina Naz took oath of her office today.

Presiding Officer Irfanul Haque Siddiqui administered the oath to her.

Reporter Usman Khan