Qureshi questions US acceptance of PCNS recommendations

Qureshi demands govt, parties boycotting PCNS explain whether US accepted it should make apology over Nov 26 attacks.

PESHAWAR:

Before opening Nato supply routes, the government should explain whether the US has accepted the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Monday.

Qureshi was addressing reporters at the residence of PTI leader Iftikhar Khan Jhagra. He demanded that the government and parties boycotting PCNS proceedings explain whether the US had accepted that it should make an apology over the November 26 Nato attacks, end drone strikes, and take action against those involved in attacking the Salala check posts.

The PTI leader added that according to his information, the US has not yet made an apology and is instead saying that the US will take up the issue once the Pakistani government contacts them. He said that PTI was not consulted during the process of reviewing relations with the US.

Qureshi also accused the government of corruption and asked the prime minister to resign, saying the country was close to bankruptcy.

“Fingers are now being pointed at the premier’s son for corruption,” he said, adding that the premier’s son should clear his position regarding alleged corruption, rather than transferring those officials who unearthed the scandal in the first place.

Qureshi also condemned the Bannu jailbreak, saying it appeared that the government has lost its writ over the country.

Referring to the party’s constitution, he said that after amendments, regional committees had been formed within the party according to chairman Imran Khan’s wishes.

Iftikhar Jhagra was appointed chief for the Peshawar region on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2012.