Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar on Sunday had hinted at mounting pressure on the government to reopen the supply routes. He told reporters in Lahore that Pakistan could face economic sanctions if it did not unplug the routes.
On Monday, the PML-N’s Raja Zafarul Haq, speaking on a point of order in the Upper House of the Parliament, demanded that the Defence Minister resign, claiming that it is against the spirit of resolution of the Parliament and recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on the National Security. PML-N members then boycotted Monday’s proceedings of the House in protest of the statement by the Defence Minister.
The JUI-F also staged a token walkout in Senate on this issue. Maulana Abdul Ghafoor termed the Defence Minister’s statement as an insult to the Parliament. “He must quit the office of Defence Minister,” JUI-F senator Haidiry added.
Ill-informed Defene Minister should quit: PTI
Chiding the Defence Minister for his “irresponsible” statements, the PTI called for him to resign. “This assertion [statement] was absolutely incorrect and the Defence Minister needs to educate himself on international law,” an official statement issued by PTI Central Secretariat on Monday read.
“It is dangerous to have an ill-informed Defence Minister who chooses to make statements without getting proper information first,” added the statement signed by PTI Senior Vice President Dr Shireen Mazari.
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mr. Mukhtar had said a thing which is not confidential but known to entire world . If a safe route is not given to them then they will stay there for a long time . If you wish peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan then you have to cooperate with the international force ,
is Pakistan did not survived during 1998? so why not now? let them impose sanctions on Pakistan, and we will see who gave them coriander to exit from Afghanistan in 2014, will NATO ask Iran? or Russia?
He's not the only poorly educated soul in the cabinet, list can go on n on. "Resignation" it's a ALIEN word for present cabinet, false degree holders parliamentarians, double or triple foreign nationality holders ministers. It's ironic n pathetic to see soo many un-qualified persons holding top posts whereas, educated, honest, patriotic young/old experienced men/women jobless in our beloved country. We won't find knowledgeable International Law expert in Foreign Office let alone this poor a miserable soul.
@Mirza Rightwing politics of false pride and hollow identities are a blight on the world, a costly distraction from the real problems that humanity faces.
Ahmed Mukhtar claimed that Pakistan's refusal to open NATO supply routes violated international law and that could therefore lead to sanctions. Can his defenders here please point out when international laws Pakistan is violating. Could they also explain why Turkey did not violate those same international laws when its pariliament refused NATO the right to pass through its territory during the last Iraq war.
Whilst I do not agree with what the defense minister is saying, are the rest of these pathetic products of our system any better? What solution do they have? Yes I believe that we can say no to the US, and live to not only see another day, but another year! But this motley crew of politicians cannot deliver anything other then defeat. They all carry defeated mentalities like the defence minister, and hence walk into meetings with the white flag already out.
I am glad that a broader rightwing alliance is again shaping up. No rightwing party can ever win an election without the help of all rightwing and religious parties. Now mullah Fazal is squeaky clean and a darling again, as soon as he starts talking against the elected secular govt. The irony is N. Sharif is not even in any parliament, and IK had not contested the elections, however, they accuse the desence minister of ill informed. Do these leaders have more direct contacts with the US establishment to know the truth?
It was said to warn the nation of possible consequences. Well, in my opinion only politician are the ones who will suffer the most. Public is already suffering so they have nothing to lose. Ask an average Pakistani & you will get the answer about NATO supply lines.
@Pakistan politics.... true but there are some who simply dislike Pakistan and that is likely the case with trolls like Cautious hence their obsession of trolling Pakistani news sites.
@Pakistan politics: That makes absolutely no sense. It was Pakistan's defense minister saying it without the "west" saying it. That means nobody could be fed by your imaginary "western propaganda machine" anything but silence.
bitter truth, a timely reminder from defence minister, thank you.
@Batman: some people are just being fed by western media propaganda machines
PTI wants the minister to resign for the comment that Pakistan will face sanctions if land routes not opened, but not for the comment that Osama Bin Laden may have made a positive contribution?
@Cautious...typical troll, care to point out the problem?
Typical Pakistan -- when someone brings you bad news you focus on "shooting the messenger" rather than addressing the problem.