The Message from the Parliament Of Pakistan – Yes to Partnership but not at the Cost of our Sovereignty,

The Message From the Parliament – Yes to Partnership but not at the cost of our Sovereignty,
Carefully Calibrates the Roadmap of the Engagement/
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Addressed  Defence Committee of the Cabinet

                                  PHOTO COURTESY BY P I D

Prime Minister Chairs DCC Meeting
Islamabad: April 17, 2012

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani chaired the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) at Prime Minister’s House here this evening.

The meeting offered special prayer for the wellbeing and safety of the Pakistan Army personnel and civilians trapped under snow in Gayari Sector.

The meeting also decided to appeal to the nation to observe the coming Friday, April 20th, 2012, as Youm-e-Duaa for the safety and wellbeing of Pakistan Army soldiers and civilians.

In the opening statement, the Prime Minister said that the DCC’s meeting convened today to consider the recommendations of the Parliament that were finalized on Thursday, 12 April, 2012.

The Parliamentary review process was an unprecedented development and marks a new milestone in Pakistan’s progress along the path of democracy, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister stated relations with the US/NATO/ISAF were put on hold until the Parliament took a clear position on how to proceed forward under the new terms of engagement.

In my view, the Prime Minister’s said, parliamentary review and oversight would not only give public ownership to our foreign and security policies but also help strengthen the hands of the government in dealing with the international community on issues of greater national importance.

Secondly, the exercise has given the nation a unique opportunity to set right our bilateral relationship with the United States on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest, the Prime Minister added.

The message from the Parliament – Yes to partnership but not at the cost of our sovereignty, carefully calibrates the roadmap of the engagement, the Prime Minister maintained.

The Prime Minister said, we now need to move beyond review adding that during the course of the concluding debate he assured the House that it will be his Government’s endeavour to implement the Parliament’s recommendations with regard to our foreign and security policies both in letter and spirit.

The Prime Minister stated, the US-Pakistan bilateral relationship is an important one and we must be mindful of our national interest and uphold our territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

For this, the Prime Minister said, a roadmap for re-engagement with the United States, negotiation of new terms and conditions for resumption of the Ground Lines of Communication (GLOCs), joint counter-terrorism cooperation, greater inter-agency coordination, transparency in US diplomatic and intelligence footprint in Pakistan, strengthening of border security and non-use of Pakistan’s territory for attacks on other countries and expulsion of al foreign fighters from Pakistan’s territory, are our fundamental policy parameters.

PRESS RELEASE issued by pm house