Online News (Pakistan) : Opp in NA slams Govt’s so called prudent foreign Policy

Opp in NA slams Govt’s so called prudent foreign Policy

August 8, 2007

ISLAMABAD: Opposition in the lower house lambasting the foreign policy criticised the Government for following an imported foreign policy blindly.

National Assembly on Tuesday continued its heated debate on Foreign Policy of the Government in which both treasury and Opposition members participated in it.

"Our foreign policy has nothing positive for the nation as today our western borders are not safe whereas all the issues including Kashmir have been pushed away from the scene", Opposition Members remarked while initiating their debate on Foreign Policy, anti-Pakistan, Anti Islam statements by the officials and Presidential Candidates from the United States and Indo-US Nuclear Deal.

While debating in NA on Tuesday, State Minister for Environment Malik Amin Aslam said that sacrifices of millions of Muslims will not go wasted adding that US is trying to create hurdles.

He said that US must keep one thing in mind that Pakistan is not Iraq or Afghanistan and we are capable to protect our boundaries.

Parliamentary Secretary Defence Major retired Tanvir said that we must stop friendship with US and return their relief immediately as we don’t want their help or support in this regard.

He held US and India responsible for the murder of Chinese Citizens in the country.

While participating in the heated arguments, Opposition’s Yasmeen Rehman said that not only our army soldiers but hundreds of innocent lives have been martyred in the war against terrorism.

She slammed Pakistan’s foreign policy terming it a major flop.

She said that we must boost our relations with China while slash all relations with America as it is not our friend rather an enemy.

State Minister for Environment Malik Amin Aslam said that unremitting threats by US is not an enriching sign for the country adding that it is not duty of Army to set up Foreign Policy, however it is Parliament’s task.

He was of the view that we must give positive response to US, as we are a Nuclear State and such threats are harmful to the country.

PML (N) Pervaiz Malik told NA that we are busy in making our Foreign Policy more efficient, however the matters relating to it are utterly unstable.

He demanded of the Government to part ways with the International Coalition against terrorism as our allies the United States and Afghanistan have been suspecting our role despite sacrificing several hundred precious lives of our security personnel in operations against terrorists.

Parliamentary leader of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), Liaqat Baloch has demanded to convene the joint session of the Parliament to give guidance on foreign policy, adding that during the last five years only one joint session of the Parliament was held which was addressed by the President.

Emphasizing on the Foreign Policy in accordance with the country’s priorities and current situation, the Parliamentary Leader of MMA said that our policies are being adopted on the aspirations of one person which has made Pakistan alone among the comity of nations. He demanded the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to clarify all the situation in Joint in-cameras session and formulate the Foreign Policy.

Stressing for the reviewing of Pakistan’s cooperation with the United States, Liaqat Baloch said that besides rendering unprecedented support to US, it is not happy with the role of Pakistan, adding that our rulers by presented one-sided formula also damaged the Kashmir’s cause.

Farhana Khalid Banori of MMA opine that the we are in the sense of confusion over our Foreign Policy, adding that it lacks support of masses which is the main reason of prevailing worsening law and order situation.

Demanding to blacklist US Presidential Candidates, she demanded foreign policy keeping in view the public opinion.

Treasury member, MP Bhindara demanded the participation of all political parties in finalizing foreign policy of the country and ouster of all foreign troops from Afghanistan. He said that Taliban have been associated with Osama Bin Ladin, in fact both are separate.

Azra Afzal of the opposition and treasury member Farzeen Sarfraz condemned the US statements and termed these statements as attempt to divert attention from US defeat in Iraq.

Abdul Malik of MMA while demanding the formation of a Parliamentary Committee aiming to resolve matters with the Untied States said that time has come to part ways with the coalition of the United States.

Treasury member, Farooq Amjad Amir said that the foreign policy has immense importance in the current situation of the world, adding that people’s representatives should have the right to formulate the country’s foreign policy.

Demanding the preparation of Foreign Policy with the consultations of Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto after their return, Manzoor Wasan of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) termed the debate on country’s Foreign Policy unproductive as our rulers donot have courage to take decisions against US will.

Treasury member, Major (retd) Tanvir Hussain demanded the formation of Foreign Policy in accordance with the teaching of Quran, termed the Foreign Policy after 9/11 was a right decision. He said that US and India are involved in the murder of Chinese nationals in Pakistan.

Abdul Ghafoor Haidri of MMA stressed unity among Muslim Ummah which is the only way for the protection and safety of the country.

Treasury member Ali Akbar Venus said that both the President and the Prime Minister have defended the Madaris all over the world but the announcement of suicide attacks from Lal Masjid has badly affected the image of the country.