Foreign relations must wait while the government tackles domestic turmoil.
The process of rewriting the terms of engagement with the US is expected to be delayed due to the government’s ongoing tensions with the judiciary and the military establishment.
The multi-party, bicameral parliamentary panel, which had been tasked to formulate new terms of cooperation with the US, will finalise its recommendations today (Wednesday) after several days of deliberations.
The final draft recommendations will be handed over to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who would then convene a joint session of parliament for their formal approval.
The review, however, is unlikely to be completed anytime soon in the wake of rapidly changing developments on the political front, sources said.
A special session of both houses of parliament is unlikely to be convened in coming days as the government grapples with the latest ruling by the Supreme Court on the implementation of the NRO verdict, sources added.
The review of ties with the US was earlier expected to be complete by the third week of this month, enabling the government to resume ‘business as usual,’ but under the new arrangements.
A military official also confirmed that the domestic political situation is impeding efforts to redefine the relationship with Washington.
The review of entire gamut of political, economic and military cooperation with the US was ordered in reaction to the November 26 Nato airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. The attack prompted Pakistan to shut down Nato supply routes and ordered the US to vacate a remote airbase in Balochistan believed to be used by the CIA for drone attacks in the tribal belt.
An American diplomat said they are ‘anxiously waiting for the review to complete as we would certainly want to move on.’
Envoys’ recommendations
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and the defence secretary briefed the parliamentary committee on the proposed draft recommendations.
Foreign Minister Khar told reporters that the committee had accepted majority of the proposals finalised by the envoys conference held in the wake of Nato attacks. In their recommendations, the envoys from key world capitals sought to scrap all existing anti-terror arrangements with the US. They particularly called for renegotiating the two key pacts signed in 2002 by then-military ruler General Pervez Musharraf with the US. The accords related to the Nato supplies, logistic support to the US and air corridor for coalition forces stationed in Afghanistan.
The foreign minister denied reports that Pakistan would link resumption of Nato supplies with the US providing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes to Pakistan.
Khar emphasised that Pakistan attaches great importance to its ties with the US: “We want good relations with the US, but based on mutual respect.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2012.
COMMENTS (1)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Please define what is "mutual respect" ? it's very confusing