Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, not Pakistan, scrapped the Islamabad meet

The Commonwealth Parliamentary conference to be held in Islamabad was cancelled by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) on Wednesday, according to details available which contradict Pakistan's claim that the decision was its own. The CPA Executive Committee met in the UK to consider whether or not to proceed with the plenary conference scheduled to be held in Islamabad from September 30 to October 8 after Pakistan, the host, expressed inability to invite Jammu and Kashmir, according to the details available.

Following a detailed discussion, the Executive Committee resolved on August 19 that the planned 61st plenary conference and associated conferences, workshops, meetings of the Executive Committee and Sub-Committee will not take place in Pakistan. The decision was taken to uphold the CPA Constitution, sources said.

The CPA was of the view that non-invitation of a branch that is in good financial standing with the Association, such as Jammu and Kashmir, would amount to a breach of Articles 10(2)(e) and 11(4)(d) of its Constitution. These articles state that branch delegations are entitled to attend the CPA plenary conference and general assembly meeting held during the Plenary conference.

Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq had claimed, at a press conference on Thursday, that it was Pakistan which had cancelled the conference as it was not appropriate for it to compromise on Kashmir.

Taking a tough stance against Pakistan's decision not to invite Jammu and Kashmir for the meet, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had called a meeting of Speakers and Chairmen of all state assemblies about two weeks back and it unanimously decided to boycott the event. She had said that the Chairman of the CPA would be requested to use his good offices to immediately resolve the matter arising out of the unilateral decision of Pakistan, failing which India and its assemblies will boycott the event.