In its Saturday’s session too the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) could not evolve consensus on the issue of Nato supplies’ restoration, however, it was agreed to delete certain clauses of the set of recommendations earlier presented before the parliament.
Sources in the committee informed The Nation that some committee members wanted linking the supply restoration to immediate cessation of the drone attacks and putting a condition that only food items and medicines shipment through Pakistan would be allowed and there would be strict ban on arms and ammunition transportation.
Sources further informed that JUI-F President Fazlur Rehman however made it clear in the meeting that they would not allow restoration of Nato supplies at any cost and the government, if it wanted go ahead with it, would have do it on its own as they had done at the time of blocking the supplies after Salala checkpost attack. In another major move the PPP has replaced under-clouds Dr Babar Awan with Qamar Zaman Kaira as member of the committee who attended the meeting for the first time on Saturday.
On Saturday afternoon the PCNS meeting was held under the chair of Senator Raza Rabbani to pick up the clause-wise review of the recommendations from where they had left it on Friday.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed reiterated his point that the restoration of the Nato supplies be linked to the immediate halt to the drone attacks inside Pakistan, and that only medicines and food items shipments should be allowed by keeping a ban on arms transportation via Pakistan. Mushahid also sought insertion of a clause in the recommendations’ draft that in case of US attack on neighbouring Iran, Pakistan would lodge strong protest and would not become tool to the American aggression. The proposal, though not made part of the draft so far, won appreciation from all the members of the committee.
On the recommendations of the opposition parties, the committee had already deleted the clauses about the proposed mechanism of US intelligence operatives and defence and security related contractors in the country, besides deciding in principle to link the Nato supply restoration with cessation to the drone attacks.
Talking to media after the meeting, Raza Rabbani expressed optimism about bringing all the parties on same page and said that the committee would likely complete redrafting process by Monday. However, he added that, if need be, the committee could also meet on Tuesday and Wednesday to accomplish the task entrusted to them.
To a question he said they were doing their work with an open mind and hoped the politicians would not disappoint the nation and would show the same level of maturity as they displayed while dealing with such major issues as passage of 18th amendment and NFC Award. About replacement of Babar Awan with Kaira, he said that it was the decision of the party leadership.
JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman in a brief chat with the media said that his party was of considered view that Nato supplies routes should not be reopened at any cost. He said his party will oppose supplies restoration tooth and nail and not let the rulers take cover of the parliament in this connection. Fazl said that Pakistan could not get any benefit from reopening of Nato routes rather it would add to the problems the country was facing due to its role in the ongoing war on terror.
Sources in the committee informed The Nation that some committee members wanted linking the supply restoration to immediate cessation of the drone attacks and putting a condition that only food items and medicines shipment through Pakistan would be allowed and there would be strict ban on arms and ammunition transportation.
Sources further informed that JUI-F President Fazlur Rehman however made it clear in the meeting that they would not allow restoration of Nato supplies at any cost and the government, if it wanted go ahead with it, would have do it on its own as they had done at the time of blocking the supplies after Salala checkpost attack. In another major move the PPP has replaced under-clouds Dr Babar Awan with Qamar Zaman Kaira as member of the committee who attended the meeting for the first time on Saturday.
On Saturday afternoon the PCNS meeting was held under the chair of Senator Raza Rabbani to pick up the clause-wise review of the recommendations from where they had left it on Friday.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed reiterated his point that the restoration of the Nato supplies be linked to the immediate halt to the drone attacks inside Pakistan, and that only medicines and food items shipments should be allowed by keeping a ban on arms transportation via Pakistan. Mushahid also sought insertion of a clause in the recommendations’ draft that in case of US attack on neighbouring Iran, Pakistan would lodge strong protest and would not become tool to the American aggression. The proposal, though not made part of the draft so far, won appreciation from all the members of the committee.
On the recommendations of the opposition parties, the committee had already deleted the clauses about the proposed mechanism of US intelligence operatives and defence and security related contractors in the country, besides deciding in principle to link the Nato supply restoration with cessation to the drone attacks.
Talking to media after the meeting, Raza Rabbani expressed optimism about bringing all the parties on same page and said that the committee would likely complete redrafting process by Monday. However, he added that, if need be, the committee could also meet on Tuesday and Wednesday to accomplish the task entrusted to them.
To a question he said they were doing their work with an open mind and hoped the politicians would not disappoint the nation and would show the same level of maturity as they displayed while dealing with such major issues as passage of 18th amendment and NFC Award. About replacement of Babar Awan with Kaira, he said that it was the decision of the party leadership.
JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman in a brief chat with the media said that his party was of considered view that Nato supplies routes should not be reopened at any cost. He said his party will oppose supplies restoration tooth and nail and not let the rulers take cover of the parliament in this connection. Fazl said that Pakistan could not get any benefit from reopening of Nato routes rather it would add to the problems the country was facing due to its role in the ongoing war on terror.
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