Fazl urges end to partnership with US

JUI chief argues for strong relations with neighbouring countries as alternative.

QUETTA: In an ongoing diatribe by political parties against the US in the aftermath of the Nato attacks, Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said Pakistan should end its strategic partnership with the US.

Addressing a news conference at the JUI-F provincial secretariat in Quetta on Thursday, Rehman termed the Bonn conference boycott a powerful message to the US. However, he added, “Suspending necessary supplies to Nato forces, boycotting the Bonn conference and not letting Americans use Shamsi Airbase are not permanent decisions. Had the Pakistan Peoples Party government implemented the resolutions over foreign policy adopted by parliament we would have not faced these difficult days”.

The JUI-F chief said that strong regional relations were vital, saying  “We should have a clear foreign policy by improving relations with neighbouring countries like Iran, Afghanistan, India, China and the Islamic world, so that no one dares to violate our sovereignty”.

He also demanded that the court investigate how such an operation was launched against the people of Pakistan.  The resolutions adopted by parliament are not being implemented in letter and spirit. “I wonder who decided the priorities of the country,” Rehman said.

Responding to a query as to what his party would do if the Nato supply line and Shamsi Airbase use were resumed, Rehman clarified that he didn’t believe in sending threats or giving deadlines. “All we want is that the government should give a clear and long-lasting foreign policy”.

Mid-term elections

Commenting on the possibility of mid-term elections, the JUI-F chief said the future of democracy in Pakistan was uncertain. “Though we support the democratic government, I am not sure whether this government will complete its constitutional tenure – elections may be held soon, or maybe there won’t even be a general election”.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2011.