Islamabad: Expressing concern over the kidnapping of two Pakistani nationals in Iraq, the country's National Assembly today (Jul 27, 2004) passed a resolution demanding their release even as the Government said any decision to send troops to the war-ravaged nation will be taken after taking the House into confidence.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri in a statement to the Assembly said, "Any decision to send troops to Iraq will be taken after taking the National Assembly into confidence."

The House later unanimously adopted a resolution demanding release of the two Pakistanis kidnapped in Iraq.

"This House expresses deep concern over the kidnapping of two Pakistanis in Iraq and threats to their lives, the Government will make all possible efforts for release of these innocent Pakistanis," the resolution moved by an Opposition member Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said.

The Iraqi militants while confirming the abduction of two Pakistanis, Raja Ajadhan and Sajad Naeem, both hailing from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), two days ago, threatened to execute them claiming that Pakistan has decided to send troops to Iraq.

Appealing for the hostages' release, Kasuri said that Pakistan has not sent the troops as UN protection force to Iraq so far despite US request and no decision in this regard has been taken.

A few weeks ago a similar resolution moved by the Muthahida Majlis Amal helped the release of a Pakistani abducted by the Iraqi militants.

On the resolution, Kasuri said the Government was fully alive to its responsibilities to protect the lives of expatriate Pakistanis.

"We made every possible effort for release of a Pakistani kidnapped earlier and I assure, this time also every avenue will be explored for release of kidnapped Pakistanis.

"There are no two opinions on our principled stance of protecting the lives of Pakistanis living abroad," he said.

He appealed to the kidnappers to honour principles of Islamic brotherhood and international human values and release the kidnapped Pakistanis at the earliest.

In his statement, Kasuri said Pakistan is a sovereign country and it takes decisions independently without taking any guideline from outside.

"Pakistan has been successful in improving relations with almost all major powers and trade leaders due to its successful and independent foreign policy adopted during the last four years," he said.

"It is the success of our foreign policy that Pakistan has entered in major international organizations including Commonwealth, ARF and Boao Forum which will help grow Pakistan's economic relations with other countries, it added. Pakistan yesterday (Jul 26, 2004) issued a direct appeal to the kidnappers saying that no decision has been taken send troops to Iraq.

"Pakistan has not taken any decision to contribute peace keeping troops to Iraq under the auspices of United Nations," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan said on the State television PTV last night.