ISLAMABAD: The opposition on Monday protested in the National Assembly (NA) against not being taken on board vis-à-vis formation of a policy against terrorism and foreign relations.
They demanded of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to take the parliament into confidence about talks with Taliban following continues terrorist activities. They also demanded that they be taken on board with regard to shift in foreign policy about Syria.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed also boycotted the NA proceedings protesting against the government for not taking the parliament into confidence about talks with Taliban.
The opposition said the government was ‘confused’ as it is neither taking the parliament into confidence nor taking any decision. “Who is taking the decision of surgical strikes and air attacks? Has the cabinet endorsed these actions? Has the government decided to terminate its committee to talk with Taliban?” questioned PTI Deputy Parliamentary Leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Opposition leader Khursheed Shah demanded that prime minister take the parliament into confidence about what was going on in the country and the shift in the foreign policy about Syria.
Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid said, “The cabinet is meeting Tuesday. The parliament will be taken into confidence after that.”
Khursheed Shah questioned will the prime minister take the parliament into confidence on utility of talks with Taliban following martyrdom of 23 personals of the FC. “If dialogue has ended, the parliament should be told the reasons for it,” he said.
The opposition leader said the prime minister should act as a leader of the nation and take a decision. “We always supported the prime minister and once again reiterate that the opposition will continue to support him but he should take any decision,” he added.Shah said the people forget the high power tariff and price hike as they wanted peace in the country.
He said the government has taken a complete U-turn in its foreign policy towards Syria but the parliament was kept in the dark on this issue. “In the past, we have interfered in Afghanistan and now our own country was in fire of war. Now we are again going to repeat this mistake by interfering in the affairs of Syria. We are even ready to provide missiles to those fighting Syrian government without realising what will happen next,” he added.
He said instead of interfering in Syria, Pakistan should play an active role and bring all Muslim countries on table to resolve the issue. “Being a nuclear power, why we make a shift in our policy for any other country,” he questioned.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi also questioned the U-turn into the foreign policy with regard to Syria and demanded that the parliament should be taken into confidence on this matter. “Pakistan has brotherly relations with Saudi Arab and also with Syria. But there is an impression that there is a policy shift in the Pakistan’s foreign policy so the house must be taken into the confidence. This policy shit has not only regional but also other implications,” he added.
Qureshi said Pakistan has a long border with Iran and why the Pakistan has made such a drastic policy shift.He said a sort of operation is going on in tribal agencies but there is confusion about policy of the government.Sheikh Rashid said the government should inform the house the reasons for initiation of a military action in tribal areas.
“I am worried about Pakistan,” he said, adding he believes that he was misfit in this parliament.Syed Asif Hasnain supported action against terrorists and said dialogue failed because of violent attitude of Taliban.
He said the nation should support the armed forces in their efforts to defend the country.Sher Akbar supported targeted operation in Karachi and said it should continue. He said the government had convened an APC which decided for dialogue and now another APC should be convened if an operation is to be launched.
Online adds: A meeting of National Assembly’s joint parliamentary parties of PPP, PML-Q and ANP will be held today (Tuesday) under the chair of Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed Shah to deliberate over increasing terrorism, dialogue with Taliban, and ongoing action in Northern Wazirstan.
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