Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif. PHOTO: TMN/FILE
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif have decided to postpone the all parties conference (APC) on the country’s security situation, The Express Tribune has learnt.
According to sources, the two brothers met at Prime Minister Nawaz’s Raiwind residence on Sunday to discuss national security affairs, the energy policy, Afghanistan-related issues and the upcoming presidential elections.
During the meeting, Nawaz and Shahbaz agreed to put off the APC until the new National Security Policy was completed, the sources said. According to them, the proposed policy is still being drafted.
The sources said that the two leaders also discussed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s decision to boycott the APC and decided Premier Nawaz would approach party chairman Imran Khan personally in the coming days to convince him otherwise.
According to sources, Imran has severe reservations over security in the areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkha – where his party is currently in power – which border Afghanistan. They said the premier intends to take the PTI chief onboard with regards to the new National Security Policy and other measures to improve law and order in K-P.
The sources added that Premier Nawaz will also try to persuade Imran on the necessity of US drone strikes in the country’s tribal areas. According to them, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leadership, after being briefed by the army and security agencies, has changed its stance on the CIA-led campaign and now views it as a vital means to counter terrorists.
Mamnoon to address MPAs
PML-N presidential nominee Mamnoon Hussain will address the party’s members of the Punjab Assembly today (Monday).
Talking to The Express Tribune, Hussain said that he would take the PML-N MPAs into confidence over his nomination for president. “I will also thank them for endorsing me as the party’s presidential candidate,” he added.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif will also address the gathering of the party’s 302 MPAs today.
According to sources, Hussain’s address is part of his campaign for the presidential polls. They added that Punjab Assembly Speaker Sardar Sher Ali Khan Gorchani has already called a session for July 30 for the election and has directed all assembly members to reach the house by 10am.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2013.
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Now NS Supporters would try to say that Drone attacks are in favour of Pakistan ! Hats off to them
@Bill:
Once IK's ridiculous idea of having talks with TTP over tea and biscuits flops, he will also have to come to the same conclusion, because he knows that at the end of the day he will just have to make a grand statement then sit back and relax while the army and security agencies will have to deal with the fallout of his 'policies'.
The issue of sovereignty aside (I personally think it's overblown, since the writ of government is virtually nonexistent in FATA anyway), there's no doubt that drones are currently the most effective way of dealing with extremists, but now NS' chest-thumping rhetoric during the election that he would end them is coming back to bite him.
well if pml n make alliance with mqm drones are just petty issues for them
" the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leadership, after being briefed by the army and security agencies, has changed its stance on the CIA-led campaign and now views it as a vital means to counter terrorists". The statement is really confusing and annoying
Take your time, there is no hurry.
This is the height of incompetency. Two brothers are discussing the security policy, it should have been discussed at parliamentary or national or ministerial forum. This is the dilemna of governance, there should be due process when deciding on policy matters. Two brohters (whether PM or CM) cannot take this decision solely. Individual decision making should be stopped and the collective decision should be taken at every level, whether its PML(N) or PTI.
The fact is NS is extremely incompetent. He has always done his politics on the basis of lies, Generals and the USA+SA and cannot devise his own strategy. I don't see him coming up with something concrete and tangible in this regard. Its business as usual and he being a businessman himself knows it very well.
Then what was all that fuss about the APC is postponed because of IK..this PML N will never shy away for any propaganda and then media follow the same..if there is no policy at all they why every one was crying about IK visit to his family in London..
Has MNS and Co capable of making any security policy????
APC should be scrapped altogether. No need to inject politics into matters of national security. And if Imran has reservations so be it. Nawaz is the PM and should act as one. National security should be his most urgent priority and the responsibility lies on his shoulders alone. No use of getting your political opponents to play populist games while the leader tries to make tough decisions. This whole idea of having an APC on national security was a joke considering PML-N has a comfortable majority in the Parliament and can do whatever it wants.
"New security policy: Nawaz Sharif postpones APC" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ That what has never been schdeuled cannot be postponed. Right?
earlier it was told to be postponed due to Imran visit to UK
Drones are not bad to eliminate terrorists, but Pakistanis see them as violation of sovereignty. Talk to US to take these under our control, or atleast make some better arrangement.
The best response to Mr Imran Khan ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ will be to fold the APC without losing anytime. And let Mr Khan be briefed by a Civilian offical of the Ministry of Defence. Also offerr the same briefing to all other leaders of political parties.
hahahaha What a drama and hype it was about APC for point scoring, Imran Khan knew it all they have nothing to discuss on table. All those who were criticizing IK should have been feeling very sad now. :)
How long will you keep on shying away from your most urgent responsibility? Please do something, it is a matter of life and death for many!!