Parliament continues debate on Pak-US ties

JUI-F says the government wants to legalise presence of Blackwater in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: The joint session of the Parliament kicked off the debate on Pak-US ties, focusing on the review of Islamabad's foreign policy on Tuesday.

Lawmakers across the party line are participating in the debate.

Leader of the opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan criticised the government on preparing recommendations which promoted a former military ruler's policies. "These recommendations are the legacy of General Musharraf", he observed.

JUI-F leader Fazlur Rehman said that the deal between Pakistan and US has been finalised on the issue of Nato supplies.

"We will not stamp on this report,” he said, adding that "the government through such recommendations wants to legalise the presence of Blackwater in Pakistan".

“JUI-Fazl will not let Nato tankers into Afghanistan despite the government's permission... By God... we will resist and our followers will create hurdles for Nato/Isaf tankers by blocking them," he added.

“Gone are the days when our foreign policy was being framed behind the scene,” said Senator Farhatullah Babar. “These recommendations should not be kept secret,” he said.

He said that it was how members of the committee said they were not aboard while preparing these recommendations. “Foreign Ministry's input is necessary as well”, he added.