Senators urge US to apologise for Salala attack
Pakistan places its bilateral relationship with US in high regard but would never compromise its sovereignty: Adeel.
ISLAMABAD:
Concluding a two-day session on Wednesday, the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan said that by demanding one-sided steps from Pakistan, the US cannot get desired results in the region, especially following the Salala incident.
“Pakistan places its bilateral relationship with the US in high regard but it would never compromise on its sovereignty,” chairman of the committee Haji Adeel said, adding that the US should “respect parliamentary resolutions and apologise for the Salala attack, besides taking concrete steps for putting the bilateral relationship on the right track.”
The committee also reviewed the losses inflicted by the free-of-charge Nato supply routes and endorsed Pakistan’s demand for imposing cess on the supply routes if they are reopened.
Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani briefed the committee on ongoing negotiations between Pakistan and the US, particularly regarding the resumption of Nato supplies.
The secretary also briefed the committee on developments for ensuring peace and stability in the region and the role played by Pakistan at different international forums.
The committee directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pay special attention to develop and further strengthen bilateral ties with countries in South Asia, Central Asia and the Gulf.
During deliberations, the committee thoroughly discussed Pakistan’s relations with Central Asian States, besides Saarc and OIC countries.
The committee members expressed satisfaction over the fact that the country’s foreign policy is now reflecting the aspirations of Pakistani people.
They also proposed the government to focus on enhancing trade and business ties with regional players, besides cooperating in the energy sector.
Senators Aitzaz Ahsan, Muhammad Jehangir Badar, Syeda Sughra Imam and Mushahid Hussain Sayed attended the meeting, among others.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2012.
Concluding a two-day session on Wednesday, the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan said that by demanding one-sided steps from Pakistan, the US cannot get desired results in the region, especially following the Salala incident.
“Pakistan places its bilateral relationship with the US in high regard but it would never compromise on its sovereignty,” chairman of the committee Haji Adeel said, adding that the US should “respect parliamentary resolutions and apologise for the Salala attack, besides taking concrete steps for putting the bilateral relationship on the right track.”
The committee also reviewed the losses inflicted by the free-of-charge Nato supply routes and endorsed Pakistan’s demand for imposing cess on the supply routes if they are reopened.
Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani briefed the committee on ongoing negotiations between Pakistan and the US, particularly regarding the resumption of Nato supplies.
The secretary also briefed the committee on developments for ensuring peace and stability in the region and the role played by Pakistan at different international forums.
The committee directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pay special attention to develop and further strengthen bilateral ties with countries in South Asia, Central Asia and the Gulf.
During deliberations, the committee thoroughly discussed Pakistan’s relations with Central Asian States, besides Saarc and OIC countries.
The committee members expressed satisfaction over the fact that the country’s foreign policy is now reflecting the aspirations of Pakistani people.
They also proposed the government to focus on enhancing trade and business ties with regional players, besides cooperating in the energy sector.
Senators Aitzaz Ahsan, Muhammad Jehangir Badar, Syeda Sughra Imam and Mushahid Hussain Sayed attended the meeting, among others.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2012.