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A Private Members' Bill aimed at declaring countries encouraging terrorism from their soil, including Pakistan, as state sponsors of terrorism was today moved for consideration in the Rajya Sabha.The Bill titled ''The Declaration of Countries as Sponsor Of Terrorism Bill, 2016'' , was introduced in the House by Rajya Sabha MP and Vice-Chairman NDA Kerala Rajeev Chandrasekhar.Moving the Bill for consideration, Mr Chandrasekhar said, ''On September 18, 2016, a terrorist attack in Uri took 19 lives, marking yet another attack on Indian territory and causing loss of Indian lives part of a long series of Pakistan originated terrorist attacks against India. ''That marked a turning point at least in my mind and I publicly promised that I would take on the important responsibility of calling Pakistan for what they are and have been for several years A sponsor of Terrorism."The Member said the Bill was aimed at calling Pakistan to account for its acts to sponsor terrorism from across the India-Pakistan border.''For decades, India and other countries in the region had been victims of numerous terror attacks from organisations and individuals based in and with support of elements in Pakistan. And yet, for decades we have remained engaged with Pakistan in an attempt to draw it into the mainstream. There is a basic tenet of criminality and criminal conduct that if criminals are not declared criminals and made to bear the consequences of their criminality, they continue to be criminals. ''This is true for countries that aid and abet terrorism and use terrorism as a misguided tool of their state policy. If they are brought to account, they continue to violate all established laws and conduct. This Bill therefore is to finally put into motion the process of calling Pakistan to account. For years of terror sponsorship and for causing loss of many innocent lives not just in India, but in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and other parts of the region and world,'' Mr Chandrashekhar said.Mr Chandrasekhar said the Bill would be another cog in the wheel to mount pressure on Pakistan to mend its ways. ''With this Bill, we in Parliament must reflect the will of the people because there is not a man or a woman in this country who does not want this that Pakistan be declared a state that sponsors Terrorism,'' he said.Speaking on the Bill, Mr Anand Bhaskar Rapolu of the Congress attacked the NDA Government for continuing to engage with Pakistan despite the terror attacks on Uri and Pathankot.He also attacked the Centre for inviting investigating agencies of Pakistan in sensitive areas like the Pathankot air base.
The discussion on the Bill remained inconclusive and will continue later.UNI AR AE 1909 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0092-1135413.Xml
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