War on terror: Sharif wants agreement with US made public

Praises Gilani but says Baloch leaders should also have been invited to Thursday’s APC.


Zia Khan October 01, 2011

ISLAMABAD: The government should disclose commitments made to the United States vis-à-vis the war on terror, said chief of his own faction of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif.

“I think the time has come to tell the nation the terms on which we engaged with the US in the war on terror,” Sharif told media on Friday.

 

He addressed the media a day after a marathon conference of top political and military leaders, convened by the Prime Minister, to build consensus in the aftermath of allegations by American security officials against Pakistan’s premier spy agency.

“It would not help us in the long run if we move ahead with that much secrecy … it will hurt the nation and the national interest,” the twice-former premier said while briefing the media about the points he raised at the All Parties Conference (APC).

Baloch leaders left out

Nawaz also called for extending peace overtures to Balochistan.

Several key leaders from the province were either not invited to Thursday’s APC or opted not to attend it because of their scepticism about the government’s intentions.

He praised Prime Minister Gilani for holding the conference at such a critical juncture but said it would have been better had all the Baloch nationalists also been invited.

Avoiding drones

Like the resolution passed at Thursday’s APC, Sharif deflected a question on drone strikes.

Earlier, he was highly critical of country’s defence authorities for their inaction when American commandos killed al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in a unilateral raid.

He said his party was against any direct military action by Americans inside Pakistan.

The PML-N chief also proposed to devise long-term national agenda, with the consensus of all political parties and other stakeholders.  No political party can steer the nation out of the crises it faces, single-handedly, he said.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2011.

COMMENTS (17)

ayesha | 12 years ago | Reply

@Dan

You are epeating Imran Khan's statement that PML-N has played as friendly opposition. I would like to disagree. In many cases they made the PPP change their decisions due to the opposition they put up. This is what the task of the opposition is. IT is not to push for mid-term elections withut giving adequate chance to perform. Exmples where PPP decisions were reversed due to opposition pressure: 1) PPP did not want to re-install the CJ. The opposition made them do so. 2) The PPP wanted to continue to the NRO immuinity. The opposition made it clear that they would not vote for that. 3) PPP wanted to o install RGST. The opposition prevented that from happening 4) PPP wanted to sweep the May 2 incidence under the carpet. The opposition ensured that there is a propoer empowered commission to address the issue.

I personally actually support PPP on decision 3 because I think that the contry needs to increase its tax to GDP ratio. Still, the point is that the Pakistan people were against tis decision and opposition ensured that a decision consistentw with people's wishes was taken.

He also has tried to support the government in areas where it was appropriate: 1) Civilian supremacy over army 2) Moving towards peace wit India so that some defence expenditure can be diverted towards building social infrastructure e.g.h health, education. 3) The National Finance COmmission where PML ruled Punjab gave up some money so that Balochistan could have a larger share which was fairer.

This is exactly how an opposition is supposed to function. Not oppose for opposition sake. I am an Dindian who currently lives in US and having seen democracy in both places, I would simply like to share what I have observed.

david | 12 years ago | Reply

Dan you make a lot of sense but if mian sahib is now saying the right thing, lets give the devil his due.

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