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)
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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.
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
@Ahmad Hassan: Mr Ahmed ,what do you think of these politicians , can they decide about any thing which is in Pakistan's national interests or in the interest of Pakistan's national security . I think you must sit and recall those days when the Supply Routes were closed. Who all were trying to get the credit of such a daring action and stance . Were they the generals or some one else . I leave it to you to ponder upon and decide. Our politicians can not afford owning this decision of restoring the supply routes reason being the general elections in this or may be in the next year. Please think before you comment , so that you may not be reminded of the past again. Be sincere to yourself and to your country , if we do not get sincere with either of these two , we will not make any progress
@ Naeem Javid Muhammad: The supply routes were used to transport ammunition and artillery at the time too. Afghanistan was in state of war as much as it is now. Imran Khan opposed NATO routes at that time too but Shah Mehmood rather endorsed it. Noora Kushti I guess
PTI will collect chandas from foreign countries to make us financially independent from NATO route revenues? Can somebody please tell these PTI ghairatmands that ghairat only suits when you have your bellies full?
@ Logic
FACTS : SMQ was not sacked. He resigned as a matter of principle by not allowing RD diplomatic immunity :-)
@Ali: centuries long slavery of the despot mongols, centuries long slavery of the British!
Pakistan came into existence on the 14 August 1947 and already on the 20 October 1947 Pakistani people had once again given themselves to slavery and chosen the United States of America as their new masters.
Neither you were loyal slaves nor you have the format to be ever your own masters because you hate your roots and lack every "cultural authenticity of a Hindustani!"
@feroze:well said.it is easy to raise such voices.had imran or nawaz in power they would have taken the same decesion.kayani gilan, and zardari have jointly taken wise decesion.those who r opposing r doing so for votes or r emotiomal .even mush cud not do that.
I donot think this man a former FM is a well-wisher of Pakistan but only making this statement to score some brownie points. PTI has become a khichdi with its top members pulling in different directions is unlikely to rule the country.
what about a PTI foreign policy summit ... purely an academic discussion with representation of the best subject matter experts. and then take the nation on board.
Playing politics with national issues is not a sign of maturity.
Be ready for more pakistani casualities wheter it is our soldiers in a NATO freindly fire or civilian collateral damage by drones.
Since we have so called 'realist' western worshippers.
A better opposition is expected from you dear PTI. reactive drum beating without reasoning is the popular culture but from PTI the expectation is that some good quality foreign policy experts draw a logical PTI view point on international issues... not merely Shah Mehmood Qureshi thundering on loud speakers.
The thing is SMQ is not in power and he does not realise that Pakistan risks isolation from the international community if it does not open the supply routes. Pakistan has no choice.
Mr Qureshi: The train has left the station.
@Disco: Pathetic. That implies the common Pakistanis are just brain-dead good-for-nothings without someone telling them how to live.
It is incredible to witness the depths of hypocrisy that people can stoop to as demonstrated by SMQ since joining PTI. The SMQ who was dilly-dallying and dancing to the tunes of the US administration in his earlier avatar as PPP's Foreign Minister must have all been a dream after-all.
PTI's clear stance is very much appreciated? Does PMLN have any stance on US? Can NS dare to speak against US?
We must not open the supplies!! Wil anybody favour the opening of the route if his BROTHER, HUSBAND OR SON was amongst those killed in Salala? US is not sorry for the incident so all the more chances that it may do it again! Then, what we will do, close the supply again? How immature!
Kill them this is the only solution
Good that he is not the Foreign Minister.
Dear Mr. Shah Mehmood Qureshi! You are a peer. Do you confirm it or, deny it?
Poor guy! He is just frozen in Time.
@indian: lolzzz ... if u r an indian then all is well. if a pakistani then remember kerry logger bill.
@Rana: Qureshi is right. At that time there was no incidence which happened at Salala check post killing 24 soldiers. Besides, if you take a step, think before it, then stand by it. That is what he wants to say.
Too late Mr. Qureshi
"‘Govt must not restore NATO supply routes’" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Once a FM always a FM!
“Can the DCC overrule the parliament?”
Let me frame the real question, "Can the Parliament overrule the Deep Corps Commandors, the real DCC?
If he understands the budget difficulties and international obligation, then why is he organizing nationwide agitation when the govt is trying to correct the mistakes?
Surprising how his loyalty suddenly changed from PPP to PTI within two years.
OMG Look who's talking?
NATO supplies were actively functioning for the last decade, and what did Shah Mehmood do about it in his tenure as foreign minister?
Since the govt is ready to sale everything for money,nation is looking towards opposition especially PTI.hopefully,people will stand by PTI's stance against NATO supply and will not let govt sale nation's pride.
If it is just politics then ignore my above comment. As as Indian we hate politics and politicians.
SM. Qureshi, Sir, take a stand, we are with you. Let's show the world what we Pakistanis are capable of under good leadership (PTI)
1] No offence but I don't like this guy. his look and facial expressions. He reminds me.... 2] His double speak about US. Just ask him his relation with US senator John kerry. More specificaly his son was working with john kerry.
how does shah ji plan to solve this then? forever closure?...
This govt is American Puppet and will open Nato supply.in my view america suffered lot due to this blockage.blockage should be continue
if he had not been sacked, he would still be foreign minister following the policy of the government
This man has no credibility. He would turn PTI into PML-N and keep it out of the parliament. Like Nawaz Sharif he is making all the noises without being in the parliament and yet both of them are "true democrats". It is easy to raise any slogan but who is going to feed the poor Pakistanis? Who is going to declare war on the US? Who is going to face UN sanctions against Pakistan? What other practical options does Pakistan have?
Every one likes to take a defiant stand when not in power. Please get relected then comment on what the governemnt should or should not do.