1. A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence was held on 11th September, 2015 at 10.30 am in Committee Room No. 1, Parliament House, Islamabad under the Chairmanship of Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed.

2. The agenda before the Committee was as under:-

1. Update on Indian Military violations/shelling/indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians across the LOC/Working Boundary and Pakistan's response.
2. To discuss implementation of the report of the Special Committee on AFV Ranges Noshwra laid in the Senate on October 21, 2014 along with the status of the compensation paid to the affectees till date.
3. The National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Bill, 2015.
4. Calling Attention Notice of Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi referred by the House on August 7, 2015 regarding cordoning off of a playground-cum-funeral place by the security forces in village Banda Phagwaria, Abbotatabad.
5. Petition No.229 of Mr. Rafaquat Ali, pertaining to Special Power Ordinance 2000, referred by Public Petition Table on June  02, 2015.
6. Petition No.480 of Mr. Shakil-ur-Reman pertaining to pay slip referred by Public Petition Table on July 14, 2015.
7. Any other item with permission of the Chair.

3. The following members of the Committee attended the meeting:-

1. Senator Atta Ur Rehman
2. Senator Hidayat Ullah
3. Senator Lt. Gen. (R) Abdul Qayyum
4. Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi
5. Senator Farhatullah Babar           
6. Senator Lt. Gen. (R) Salahuddin Tirmizi
7. Senator Mrs. Sehar Kamran                                 
8. Senator Brig. (R) John Kenneth Williams

 4. The meeting started with recitation from the Holy Quran by Senator
Farhatullah Babar.
Agenda Item ii: To discuss implementation on report of the special committee on AFV Ranges Nowshera laid in the Senate on October 21, 2014.

5. DG ML & C briefed the Senate Defence Committee on the recommendation made regarding compensation in respect of land acquired for Artillery Firing Vehicles (AFV) Ranges in Nowshera.

1. DG ML & C informed the committee that a committee had been formed to verify legitimate land owners and subsequently provide them with the required compensation. The committee comprised of a both civilian and military representatives.
    
2. The time frame for completing the entire process of payments is approximately 2-3 months.
    
3. An amount of PKR 1.56 billion has been made available to the MEO for further disbursement amongst the affectees. 
    
4. The GHQ has allowed disbursement of the said amount in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act.
    
5. Addressing Senator Farhatullah Babar’s concerns, DG ML & C assured the committee that all efforts are being made to ensure that only the legitimate affectees receive payments for land acquired.
    
6. Senator Farhatullah Babar showed satisfaction over the implementation part of the process.
    
7. He further raised the issue pertaining to use of lands acquired by the military for operational purposes but used instead for commercial activities.
    
8. After deliberations, it was decided that MOD will make a presentation/briefing on this issue in the next meeting.

Agenda Item iii: The National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Bill, 2015.

6. The National Assembly has passed the NUMS Bill, 2015 after which the Senate referred it to the Senate Defence Committee:-

1. Brig. Dr. Aamir Ikram gave a detailed presentation in respect of the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Bill, 2015.
    
2. The Defence Committee was informed that this bill has been passed by the National Assembly after its clearance by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
    
3. Senator Farhatuallah Babar raised a number of concerns regarding various sections of the proposed bill.
    
4. Senator Javed Abbasi also indicated a number of discrepancies within the bill.
    
5. It was clarified that the HEC could only approve a draft charter of the university and not the bill, which was the prerogative of the parliament.
    
6. The inclusion of veterinary hospital/services under the proposed umbrella of the university was also criticized by the senators.
    
7. It was decided by the Chair that observations pertaining to the bill would be forwarded to the concerned authorities through the MOD at the earliest for rectification of the discrepancies.
    
8. The bill would be reconsidered at the earliest.

Agenda Item i: Update on Indian Military violations/shelling/indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians across the LOC/Working Boundary and Pakistan’s response.

1. Representative of the MOD briefed the committee on the cease-fire violations carried out by India along the LOC/Working Boundary:
   1.  In 2015, 221 ceasefire violations were carried out by India, which resulted in the death of 26 civilians, with 78 injured.
   2. In August, 2015 89 ceasefire violations were made by India. And this is linked with the upcoming anniversary of 1965 War held on 6th September and also with the upcoming UNGA session.
   3. Pakistan’s military is carrying out a ‘selective yet effective response’.
   4. Unlike the Indian military forces, Pakistan army ensures that it does not target civilians. This was reiterated by Senator Lt. Gen. (R) Abdul Qayyum who said that Pakistan adheres fully to the Geneva Convention which gives due rights to civilians in the time of conflict.
   5. Pakistan military takes a measured response against selective military posts.
   6. Responding to Senator Lt. Gen. (R) Salahuddin Tirmizi’s querry, the representative of the MOD said Pakistan military is not sure of the damage being done as a result of their armed response.
   7. Secretary Defence Lt. Gen. (R) Alam Khattack commented on the ceasefire violations and its strategic and political consequences.
   8. He said that there is a sustained process of pressure from India, while Pakistan is engaged in an anti-terror campaign on the western borders.

8. It was a unanimous opinion that these ceasefire violations were an effort by India to militarize the Kashmir issue, therefore creating a shift from the political settlement. Pakistan on the other hand upholds its principle stance on Kashmir at all international fora. In the end, the Defence Committee adopted the following resolution:

RESOLUTION

The resolution condemning Indian aggressive military actions which are 'biggest threat to regional peace and security', passed by Senate Standing Committee on Defence.

Islamabad, September 11: The Senate Defence Committee meeting at the Parliament House, strongly condemned India's aggressive stance and military violations across the Line of Control and the Working Boundary with Pakistan.

Meeting under the chairmanship of Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the Senate Defence Committee observed that ever since Mr. Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister, Indian statements and actions had become aggressive, jingoistic and war-like, even boasting about Indian role in the dismemberment of Pakistan in 1971, openly admitting covert operations against Pakistan using terrorists as an instrument of policy and going to the extent of threatening 'limited war' against Pakistan.

The Senate Defence Committee further observed that this aggressive and unwarranted stance comes at a time when the entire Pakistani nation, soldiers and civilians alike,  is united in combating terrorism and extremism. Since 9/11, Pakistan is the biggest victim of terrorism having lost over 50,000 precious lives in the struggle to combat, contain and crush terrorism.

Given this context, the Senate Defence Committee urged the international community, especially the United Nations, the European Union and the Organization of Islamic Countries, to take immediate note of this premeditated and systematic campaign on the part of the Indian government and its military, which is aimed at destabilizing Pakistan and diverting attention away from the successful and unwavering 'Operation Zarbe Azb' launched by the Pakistan Armed Forces against the scourge of terrorism and extremism.

The Senate Defence Committee strongly felt that enduring peace, security and stability in South Asia can only be attained when India abides by its commitment to the United Nations resolutions regarding the right of self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Senate Defence Committee appreciated the policy of the Government of Pakistan not to respond to the Indian provocations in kind, and continue to offer unconditional talks and dialogue on the basis of equality and reciprocity, despite Indian attitude to the contrary, since this is the only civilized norm to conduct bilateral relations in today's troubled world. 

Agenda item iv. Calling Attention Notice of Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi referred by the House on August 7, 2015 regarding cordoning off of a playground-cum-funeral place by security forces.

9. Senator Javed Abbasi informed the committee that security forces have cordoned off a small playground adjacent to the Baloch Regiment Center in village Banda Phagwaria, Abbottabad.

10. The entire village was facing great hardship as there was no place for the children to play and for funeral prayers to take place. Since there is no evident security threat, he requested that cordoning off this area was not necessary.

11. DG ML & C said from a technical perspective, the said land was of an A1 status, therefore is under active use of military and has never been allotted for a playground or a funeral ground:

1. He then commented that based on the current threat perception, the military had to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of its military center.
    
2. Commenting on the threat levels, DG ML & C said there have been many instances where terrorists had attacked funeral processions.
    
3. He also said the land was allotted to the Baloch Regiment Center since before the creation of Pakistan.

12. Chairperson Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed formed a sub-committee with the TORs to visit the site and report back to the Defence Committee. The sub-committee is to comprise of the following:

1. Senator Lt. Gen. (r) Salahhuddin Tirmzi  Convener
2. Senator Hidayat Ullah Member
3. Senator Javed Abbasi Member
4. DG ML & C. Co-opted Member

Agenda Item v. Petition no. 229 of Mr. Rafaquat Ali, pertaining to Special Power Ordinance 2000, referred to Public Petition Table on June 2, 2015.

13. After hearing the MOD’s response, Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed observed that this was a private matter & not related to the policy objectives of the Senate Defence Committee. The applicant should file an appeal before the appropriate legal forum for redressal of his grievances. The Defence Committee decided not to take any action in this regard.

Agenda Item vi: Petition No. 480 of Mr. Shakil ur Rehman pertaining to pay slip referred by Public Petition Table on July 14, 2015.

14. Representative of the MOD informed the committee on the method of payments for military employees.

1. Pay slips of civilian employees BS-16 and above serving in lower formations/units of the Armed Force are being issued every month on regular basis, as payment of pay and allowance of these employees are credited into their personal bank accounts.
    
2. Pay lists containing detail of pay and allowance with deduction pertaining to civilian employees of BS-01 to BS-15 serving in the lower formations/units of the Armed Force are being provided to all units/formations every month on regular basis, as the payment of pay and allowance is being made through Public Fund Account instead of personnel accounts.
    
3. Provisions of pay slips individually to each civilian employees of BS-01 to BS-15 is not possible, as payment to pay and allowances on every month is being made by units/formations through Public Fund Accounts, as such, one cheque is being issued to concerned units/formations, which makes it difficult to issue separate pay slips to each civilian employee.  However, detailed pay lists are provided to the units on monthly basis.

15. Senator Farhatullah Babar observed that this is a pertinent issue and expressed hope that the system would soon be in place that will ensure timely payments of salaries to civilian employees of Pakistan Army.

16. Chairperson Mushahid Hussain Sayed asked for another update on this matter in 3 months.

17. The Committee was given a briefing on the APS Shuhahda Package.

a. Representative of the MOD gave the following details

1. The total package is worth PKR 183.2 billion.
2. This comprises of PKR 3 million cash compensation per Shaheed.
3. One child to be provided education up to 10th grade. The standard fee of cost which translated into monetary capacity is PKR 5,000/month for 120 children for 10 years, totaling to PKR 7.2 billion.
4. A grant has been given for housing at PKR 5 million per effectee for 22 affectees.
5.  In addition, the GHQ has offered jobs and 10 affectees have thus far accepted the offer.
6. Free medical services are being offered to the family members of the Shuhada, which will be availed in all civil-cum-government hospitals.

 b. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed emphasized that the grants be processed before the upcoming anniversary of the APS attack on Dec 16th, 2015. 

18. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks.