Asian parliamentarians voice support for Palestine

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - A two-day Asian Parliamentary Assembly held in Pakistan's strategic Gwadar city passed a unanimous resolution declaring an "unwavering support" for the Palestinian people.

The resolution, which condemned the violation of the international humanitarian law in the Palestine and the war crimes committed by the Zionist regime, was adopted at the culmination of the assembly on Tuesday, an official statement said.

Over 100 parliamentarians from 26 Asian countries, including China, Saudi Arabia and Iran participated in the conference, which also shed light on multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

The $64 billion project, which is the part of Beijing’s most ambitious foreign economic initiative -- One Belt One Road -- aims to connect northwest China to Pakistan's southwestern Gwadar port through a network of roads, railways and pipelines to transport cargo, oil and gas.

This route will provide the shortest route to Chinese cargo destined for the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa.

The "Gwadar Statement" issued after a two-day meeting of the Asian Parliamentarians Assembly's Standing Committee on Political Affairs urged the members of the Assembly to take their mutual cooperation forward.

"While our Asian vision is focused on trade, economic and energy markets, it also carries a much-needed heed to help adapt to climate change and preserve the environment," the statement said.