ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: The Parliamentary Committee on National Security, which is under pressure from the government and opposition to give a clear guideline regarding US drone attacks and security forces’ action in the tribal areas, will be briefed on the ‘war on terror’ by ministers and intelligence agencies on Dec 2.
Foreign Affairs Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Affairs Rahman Malik and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director-General Lt-Gen Ahmed Shujaa Pasha will brief the committee.
The 17-member committee has failed to come up with a clear stance and proposals about national security strategy after two meetings.
It was formed as a watchdog to ensure implementation of the resolution passed unanimously by parliament on Oct 22 after an in-camera debate on the national security situation.
The resolution had sought formation of the committee “to periodically review, provide guidelines and monitor the implementation of the principles framed and roadmap given in this resolution”.
Opposition leaders have accused the government of not implementing the resolution which called for an urgent review of Pakistan’s role in the “war on terror”.
Pressure on the committee has heightened after Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told reporters recently that the government would react in accordance with the guidance of the committee to foreign forces’ incursions.
The prime minister and President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday reiterated their resolve to act upon the resolution.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Babar Awan said that the briefing and questions might take some time, but the committee, which comprises almost the same lawmakers who had drafted the resolution, would come up with a report to guide the government.
He said the government was taking steps to meet the requirements of the resolution, including efforts at the diplomatic and international level.
Senator Prof Khurshid Ahmed of the Jamaat-i-Islami, who is a member of the committee, expressed the hope that it would show a strong reaction to US drone attacks.
In reply to a question, he said: “We did not get a reply during the in-camera joint sitting of both houses of parliament to our queries as to whether the government has a written or unwritten agreement allowing US drones to attack Pakistani territory and we will like to get the answer now.”





























