The leader of the opposition had had a week to go through the recommendations of a parliamentary panel regarding foreign policy.
When he rose from his seat during the joint session of Parliament on Monday, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was typically critical of the government – except his criticism had little to do with the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) or, for that matter with foreign policy in general.
Instead, Nisar straight away drew attention of the house to the power outages.
It was later reported that the opposition and the government were actually locked in backroom negotiations on the debate on reviewing ties with the US.
The opposition on Monday urged the government to seek firm guarantees from the US that it would honour an eventual resolution demanding a halt to drone attacks inside tribal areas and apologise over last year’s airstrikes on Pakistani border posts.
“We have made it clear that the government should first ensure that the resolution will be respected (by Washington). Only then we can think of supporting it,” a top Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader told The Express Tribune.
The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) sent PCNS Chairman Senator Raba Rabbani and Religious Affairs Minister Syed Khursheed Shah, to the opposition parties to convince them to support the recommendations.
Chaudhry Nisar, Ishaq Dar, Mushahidullah Khan and Zahid Hamid represented the opposition during the talks. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also joined negotiations and supported the stance taken by the PML-N.
During Monday evening’s meeting in the chambers of Chaudhry Nisar, both the government and opposition decided that Parliament would open the debate from Tuesday (today) and negotiations would also continue at the same time.
The PML-N leader said the government negotiators did not commit to seeking guarantees from Washington. “They promised to get back to us tomorrow (Tuesday) after consulting with concerned quarters.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 27th, 2012.
COMMENTS (13)
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@Moise:
It is a resoultion and as such has no bearing whatsoever. The UN general assembly is always passing resultions that have no meaning. They just passed one on Syria and it too had no meaning........You need to work harder.
If you are to hold me responsible for the civilian deaths in PAK, then I and the rest of the world are prepared to hold you responsible for the deaths in the US, France and India because those deaths resulted from the actions of PAK.
Covert war is illegal as well. POTUS can go fascist and bypass Congress, this wont make it legal.
Here is UN link http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/50/ares50-172.htm
700+ civilians killed by US in Pakistan alone. If you are defending US, you are just as responsible for those civillian deaths.
@Moise:
The CIA in this case does conduct military operations they are normally called covert but since the POTUS openning admitted drone operations were being conducted they it is a bit difficult to call then covert.
Regardless they do not need the approval of Congress. If the POTUS asked for approval, which he will not because at the end of the day he desires to retain as much power as possible in the office of the presidency, it would be granted.
As for the UN you will have to provide a link to that portion of the UN charter that addresses drones. If you find one, I will be surprised but I wait with great anticipation for your link.
@Harry Stone: There is a current affairs program on TV, I think it is called news. Try listening carefully to it, drones are managed by CIA and not US Army. Drones are illegal in US since there is no congressional approval. Drones are illegal according to UN charter. Drones are illegal in Pakistan as well. So if you choose the side of oppressor at least know your own rules first instead of blowing hot-air while commenting.
@Moise:
In the US as in most nations the military is left to conduct military operations. Tactics do not need the approval of Congress.
friendship doesnt need guarantees..!
It seems all of them have agreed over restoration of supplies
Even the US Congress hasnt approve drone attacks. Shame on Army for not protecting.
Great job Ch. Nisar!
You must be commended for looking after Pakistan's sovereignty with such dedication and vigor.
"Debate to begin today..." webmaster please correct the lead story on the home page. Thanks.
Since the arms are going to be used in a friendly neighboring country, Afghanistan, might it not be more appropriate if the request to allow NATO supplies through (on terms and conditions) be received from the Afghan government as a first step?
The USA has made it's position clear --- the drone attacks are going to continue until Pakistan gets off it's duff and cleans out the terrorist themselves -- and the chances of getting an unconditional apology from the USA for responding to "investigative fire" initiated by Pakistan is about as slim as Pakistan landing a man on the moon next year.
All siting in this meeting will stab each other back if US ensure them winning some seats in election or offer some dollar...they all are having same record...and i think their gathering this way is like preseting themselves for bid...