End drone hits, Pakistani Parliamentary body tells US and pak seeks unconditional apology on Nato killings

 parliamentary commission demands an end to American drone attacks in the country.

seeks unconditional apology on Nato killings

 20 march

Akram Abid 

Islamabad

Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on National Security Mian Raza Rabbani has presented the report of the committee on national security with particular reference to new terms of engagements with the United States and NATO.

Senator Mian Raza Rabbani presented before the session report of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security for new terms of engagements with the United States and NATO.

Enumerating the salient features of the report on national security‚ Mian Raza Rabbani said that the Parliamentary Committee on National Security in its recommendations has asserted that the country s sovereignty shall not be compromised at any cost and the relationship with the US should be based on mutual respect for the sovereignty‚ independence and territorial integrity of each others.

The recommendations asks the government to ensure that the principles of an independent foreign policy must be ground in strict adherence to the principles of policy as stated in Article 40 of the constitution‚ the UN Charter and observance of international law.

The report says that the US must review its footprints in Pakistan and stop the drone strikes inside the territorial borders of Pakistan. It calls for no hot pursuit or boots on Pakistani territory and the activity of foreign private security contractors must be transparent and subject to Pakistani law. It needs to be realized that drone attacks are counter productive‚ cause loss of valuable lives and property‚ radicalize the local population and create support for terrorists and fuel anti American sentiments.

Raza Rabbani said the report emphasizes that Pakistan s nuclear programme and assets including its safety and security cannot be compromised. The US-Indo civil nuclear agreement has significantly altered the strategic balance in the region‚ therefore‚ Pakistan should seek from the US and others a similar treatment. It said that the strategic position of Pakistan regarding India on the subject of FMCT must not be compromised and this principle be kept in view in negotiations on this matter.

The report reaffirms Pakistan s commitment to the elimination of terrorism and combating extremism in pursuance of its national interest.

Condemning the Salala check post attack by NATO that resulted in the martyrdom of 24 Pakistani soldiers‚ the report termed the incident a breach of international law and constitutes a blatant violation of Pakistan s sovereignty and 

 Pakistani lawmakers have opened a debate on the terms of the nation’s re-engagement with the United States after ties were all but severed following deadly American air-strikes on Pakistani troops in November.

The session on Tuesday could help determine whether the country’s reopens US andNato supply lines to Afghanistan.

The parliamentary commission has also demanded an end to American drone strikes inside the country and is seeking an unconditional apology for the Nato attack that killed 24 soldiers in Pakistan.

The commission said that those responsible for the attack should be brought to justice and the recommendations also said that any use of Pakistani bases or airspace by foreign forces would require parliament approval.

The Ministry of Defense and US/Nato/Isaf were also told to draft new flying routes for areas close to the border.

The commission said that the re-opening of the US/Nato supply route must be based on a thorough revision of the term of conditions of the agreement, which shall be subject to strict monitoring within Pakistan on anti-entry, transit and exit points.

It was also suggested that no verbal agreement regarding national security shall be entered into by the government or any other ministry or department.

The commission said that no overt or covert operation inside Pakistan shall be tolerated. It also suggested that there should be prior permission and transparency on the number and presence of foreign intelligence operatives in Pakistan.

The commission recommended to the government that Pakistan should actively pursue the gas pipeline project with Iran.

It was also recommended that 50 per cent of US/Nato/Isaf containers may be handled through Pakistan Railways.

territorial integrity. The government‚ the report‚ said should seek an unconditional apology from the US for the unprovoked incident.