August 03, 2008	Sunday	Rajab 30, 1429

LAHORE, Aug 2: Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Pervaiz Elahi says the PML-Q will fulfill its responsibilities like a patriotic political party by defending the ISI against the adverse criticism of the opponents and foil all conspiracies against limiting its effective role in national defence.

Talking to parliamentarians at his residence here on Saturday, he said Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar and other ministers adopted an anti-Pakistan stance before the US administration and media during Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s visit. The enemies of Pakistan should, however, remember that the entire nation was standing with the armed forces for the defence of national integrity and solidarity.

He said the ministers visiting the US should have snubbed those levelling false accusations against the ISI instead of supporting and propagating the allegations against it, but they allowed the opponents to make fun of Pakistan by their attitude instead.

Their point of view would have received due attention in case they had behaved like the patriotic representatives of a sovereign state which would have helped remove misgivings created in the mind of US administration about Pakistan by its enemies. But these `pseudo’ political leaders continued to oppose their defence institutions instead and provided an opportunity to the enemies to point fingers at Pakistan despite suffering maximum loss of life in war against terrorism.

He said the opposition had been asking the ruling coalition for bringing the issue of war on terror under discussion in the parliament for evolving a comprehensive policy, but it was not paying attention to it like other vital issues of inflation, lawlessness and debilitating economy.

He said the coalition elements should remember that the political role had been assigned to it by their elders for their personal interests. Those forgetting the national interests for power should remember that the patriotic people and armed forces were united for defending the national institutions and integrity of Pakistan.