Opposition snubs parliamentary review, may present new resolution

Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan says the government will fail to implement recommendations.

ISLAMABAD: Leader of Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan snubbed the revised foreign policy presented by the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) on Tuesday.

Waving the parliament’s written report in front of the media, Nisar said the report had nothing extra-ordinary in it as the ideas it is upholding have always been everyone’s voice. “Every government starts its reign with the same words.”

Nisar added that there was no point in drafting new policy terms as the government, as always, will fail to implement the recommendations. “It is useless to comment or debate on it till the government puts the words into practice.”

“On the one hand, it says that the purpose is to secure Pakistan’s sovereignty and on the other hand it says that the working of international security agencies in the country would be transparent. Tell me, which independent country lets foreign security agents work on its soil?”

The opposition leader added that he even commented in the parliament on the report calling it “mind-boggling” as the parliament itself is allowing foreign security agencies to work in Pakistan.

Nisar further complained that none of his party members were given the report before today’s session. “The committee worked in a weird way… Their [party leaders'] recommendations are present in the report, but drafting was done by the government officials alone.”

He added that his party, Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N), will hold meetings in the coming few days to decide whether they will propose new changes in the report or present a new resolution in the parliament.

“This report has handed complete control over to the government, which is putting sovereignty at stake.”