ISLAMABAD: As uncertainty regarding Pakistan-US relations continues to grow, a bipartisan and bicameral parliamentary panel is expected to finalise its recommendations next week to review Islamabad’s ties with Washington in the wake of last month’s Nato airstrikes.
The parliamentary committee on national security prepared on Friday a 30-point-draft-recommendation that envisages a complete overhaul of Pakistan’s diplomatic, economic and military cooperation with the US.
However, before finalising its proposals, the committee has asked Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and the communication minister to brief lawmakers on Tuesday regarding the economic implications of the review.
The finance minister is believed to have opposed some radical changes in the relationship, as according to him, the country’s fragile economy cannot afford more shocks.
At a recently-held envoys’ conference, the finance minister reportedly warned that complete disassociation with the US would be a “blunder” and would have a negative impact on the country’s economy.
Committee Chairman Senator Raza Rabbani told the media after the meeting that a draft containing proposals to rewrite the terms of engagements with the US had been prepared.
Sources told The Express Tribune that a major portion of the draft recommendations include proposals finalised by ambassadors of the selected capitals.
Committee members, including those from rightwing religious parties, have agreed that Pakistan should not seek a breakup in its relationship with the US, however, its future cooperation must be transparent and based on respect for the country’s national interest and sovereignty.
The foreign ministry’s suggestions, which were already tabled before the parliamentary panel, have called for renegotiations of key agreements signed between Pakistan and the US during former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf’s rule.
The agreements relate to resuming Nato supplies, allowing logistic support and blanket permission to use Pakistan’s air corridor.
A committee member said supplies would now only be resumed under a new arrangement. It is believed that the government will tax Nato supplies passing through Pakistan.
The committee will take another week or so to finalise its recommendations, said the member, requesting not to be named.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2011.
COMMENTS (22)
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@Raj - USA: I think you are right ! The public opinion of Pakistani partnership in the war on terror, is very poor& negative and for reasons too. This became live issue after OBL matter, as the general public realised that they were paying their tax dollars for this charade for over an decade !!! Whoever is in White House after next year is going to be pretty anti Pak Aid Programs!!
Its going to be a classic "D Day" for Pakistan's Foreign Policy for next decade. No matter, how bad state of affairs may get in terms of Economically or Politically, but the people of Pakistan will tolerate their Rulers, and continue on same course. Their Ghairat is on line !
@Harry Stone ok if we are rogue nation then what USA is doing in Afghanistan? what is the purpose? what the USA discovered in Iraq? what about nuclear program of India, Israel? Is USA spreading peace all over the world? who was feeding these militants in the past? Is NATO spreading peace in Lebyia? and what about Palestine and Kashmire issue? always consider the things in a broader context. I told our leaders are corrupt it doesnt mean that we as a nation are corrupt. everyone in the west and India blaming on Pakistan for USA failures in Afghanistan. Why these countries have threat from Iran? if India ans USA can go forward with civil nuclear deals then why Iran has not right to progress in civil nuclear energy. this is the time of blame game by the USA and allies. they will get nothing at the end of the day. we are a peaceful nation and we want peace in all over the world.
@kamal:
Actually not just the US but much of the world is worried about the nuclear weapons of North Korea, Iran and PAK because these are rogue nations.
Based on the lack of rational calculations and decisions concerning their own and their country’s future it is cause for concern.
@hedgefunder: I agree with you about our govt corruption but little bit agree with the duplicity. I think every country plays a blame game with other countries for its interests. what are the foreign policies of USA for? what are the secret agents doing in Pakistan like Raymond Devis? Why the USA is more worried about the nuclear installations of Pakistan and Iran but not for others? why India is blaming Pakistan for its internal conflicts? Are not there so many terrorist organizations in India? and what about Kashmir issue? why India refused to move their forces 30km away from the borders with Pakistan? so many issues beside this. I know we are lacking with good quality leaders in our Govt. through out our history who have been working on foreign agenda like the current issue going on in Pakistan but it does not mean that all anti Islamic forces should blame on Pakistan. On the whole there is Islamic phobia and thats why Pakistan and Iran are under threats of foreign attacks. Always look on both sides of the mirror and dont focus on one side to be realistic and think as a whole not for little things having little importance.
@kamal: So blame the pakistanis who voted this mob to rule! Why are you waffling on about other issues as your duplicity is renowned worldwide ! In regards to Aid, well why don't you ask your Govt and Army as to what they received its for sure a public record in US, in both their houses, but is that case in your NA or GHQ??? Make a new new year resolution to face facts, rather than the BS, it may help.
@safdar:
Actually to this point it is not.
What the US has had to learn is that PAK is not to be trusted. Going forward it will use this new found knowledge as one of the fundmentals of how it will deal with PAK.
@ Harry Stone
"What PAK will discover is the US can also play the double game PAK has been playing"?
It is better to say, US is playing double game, is not it?
@Raj-USA
That's possible but unlike Pakistan the USA is less emotional when it comes to making strategic decisions. The USA will no longer trust Pakistan but I doubt any of the leaders is seriously considering abandoning Pakistan.
So after all the noises and drama , some sense is finally surfacing !!! Let's face the facts here, without US support, Pakistan simply will not survive ! If it survives , then it make some of poorest nations on the planet look wealthy! As for the leaders it will be time to pack up and return to their foreign palaces, until such time as another opportunity arises for more ransacking of the nation's wealth ! Game over.
@Raj - USA Pasha is in Doha, talking to them, despite all Indian khala kheran like activities......
@Raj - USA:
You are probably correct in this. What PAK will discover is the US can also play the double game PAK has been playing. It will cooperate with PAK in areas that support its goals, provide tac agreement to those that do not effect the accomplishment of those goals and reject those demands that imped their mission. Once past this phase it will be years before PAK fully understands the damage it has done to itself. This will take many forms from a closer relationship with India to fewer and smaller WB loans to even possibly declaring PAK a state sponsor of terror.
This is the game PAK is playing and I hope they understand it.
How many times can toilet tissue be re-used?
I think it is too late and US has already made the decision to discard Pakistan.
Emotions aside, Pakistan's precarious economic condition, due to our own mismanagement and un-controlled spending on defense and unproductive luxuries, demands realistic and cool-headed approach and not brinkmanship.
The news that parliamentary committee on national security is finalizing the relationship with the US is well and good. Also renegotiations of key agreements signed between Pakistan and the US during former military ruler General Mush’s rule are all good. However, the army and ISI have already preempted the bipartisan committee by rushing to Qatar and negotiating secretly with the US. It is great to see that the parliament is taking principled stand as a bipartisan institution that has nothing to hide. Let the facts come out in the open about the secret dealings of generals in the past.
One can only hope that the final position will be complete disassociation.
Failing that PAK should realize that the sand is slowing passing through the hour glass. They had better get all they can now because sooner than most in PAK realize there will be no more sand and there will be no more considerations of PAK by the US.