Parties should demand special Parliament session on Pahalgam: Sibal

Independent Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday requested political parties to urge the government to convene a special session of Parliament as early as possible in May in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

"On 25 April, I suggested that a special session of Parliament be convened to show the nation's unity in this hour of grief," Sibal said. "I request all political parties to urge the government to convene such a session as early as possible in May," he said.

Sibal on Friday had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to call a special session of Parliament and pass a resolution condemning the Pahalgam terror attack to convey the message to the world that the country is united.

Sibal had also suggested the government send delegations of ruling and Opposition MPs to various important countries so that diplomatic pressure could be exerted on Pakistan.

"We should present this point in every diplomatic initiative. The United Nations should create pressure. A resolution must be passed in the Security Council, and we should see whether China supports it or goes against it. We have to take these diplomatic initiatives," Sibal had said on Friday.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, the former Union minister suggested that as the US does with its sanctions, India should tell all major nations who have trade ties with Pakistan that they cannot come to the Indian market if they continue to have trade with Islamabad.

Leaders across party lines on Thursday had called for "decisive action" against terrorism and terror camps, and assured the government of their full support.

During an all-party meeting to discuss the Pahalgam attack, the government had said it was taking all measures to ensure security and assured the leaders of action against terrorism and its backers.