‘Govt must not restore NATO supply routes’

Shah Mehmood Qureshi warns of nationwide protests against the govt.


Our Correspondent May 14, 2012
‘Govt must not restore NATO supply routes’

LAHORE: Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday warned the government against re-opening Nato supply routes to Afghanistan.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf vice chairman was talking to reporters at the party’s media office, a week before the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) meets to take a decision.

Qureshi said if the government decided to re-open the supply routes, the PTI would organise a rally in Rawalpindi on May 27 to “kick off a nation-wide protest against the rulers”. The PTI, he said, was also thinking of holding an all parties conference to take a stand against the government.

During the parliamentary debate on the Nato supply lines, the Parliamentary Committee on National Security had recommended some conditions for re-opening the supply routes, said Qureshi. They included an apology from the US for the Salala incident and halting drone attacks, he said, adding “Can the DCC overrule the parliament?”

The former foreign minister criticised the government for a U-turn in its policies. The foreign minister said that if we do not open the supply routes, it would create problems for Pakistan, said Qureshi. The PTI vice chairman also mentioned the finance minister’s statement, while in Washington DC, that Pakistan would not be able to make the budget if the Coalition Support Fund was not released. “Could the government not foresee these problems earlier?” he remarked.

He then said that the minister for defence had said that Pakistan would be violating international conventions if it did not open the supply routes. “Were these conventions not in place when we closed them?” asked Qureshi.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2012.

COMMENTS (51)

Azim | 12 years ago | Reply

I am surprised to see some comments, this on record is the only FM who decided to resist / resign on a national principle - US did not wanted him because of that nor did PPP leaders, as what he wanted was a solution to Raymond Davis case in-line with national interest.

So, irrespective of history, this person stood for something many in power would never dare to do. What he is saying is also voice of our Pakistani hearts, so lets not challenge the idea, support if you can. Here its not PTI, PPP, or PML-N that is loosing face and dignity, we all are the victims - pakistan is loosing here, so please think as a pakistani and support else please STF-UP.

Pakistan Zindabad.

Mujahid torwali | 12 years ago | Reply

Nobody wants to reopen the NATO supplies but SMQ is showing his sympathy to the nation which he got after joining PTI,none of pakistani politicians are loyal with pakistan and nation but just to get more and more fame and money

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