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ISLAMABAD: “For the first time the parliament, which is representative of the masses, will prepare the future foreign policy of the country,” said Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday.
The prime minister was talking to media representatives at Chaklala Air Base before his departure on a two-day visit to China.
The foreign policy will be reflective of aspirations of people as their representative in the Parliament will discuss the recommendations of the National Security Committee, said PM Gilani.
Replying to a question, the prime minister said that the joint session of the parliament is working to formulate a unanimously adopted resolution, so that it could come out with one voice.
The government took immediate action after the Salala incident, stopping the Nato supply and boycotting the Bonn conference, while constituting a parliamentary committee to prepare recommendations on the issue, said Gilani.
Opposition members, representatives of political parties and the armed forces have held thorough discussion on the issue and it was decided that parliament will be given the task to take final decision in formulating future foreign policy, the prime minister said.
Gilani will be attending Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2012 in China.
Minister for Information Dr Firdous Aashiq Awan, Minister for Finance Dr Hafeez Sheikh and Minister for Water and Power Naveed Qamar, are accompaning the prime minister on the two-day visit.
The conference is titled “Asia in the Changing World: Moving Towards Sound and Sustainable development”, and is being held in Hainan Island of China from March 31.
The conference will be also attended by Iranian Vice President Muhammad Javad Muhammadizadeh, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Karim Masimov, Prime Minister of Italy Mario Monti and Vice Premier of China Li Keqiang.
PM Gilani will address the plenary session of the Forum on April 2 as one of the keynote speakers.
The dignitaries, hailing from Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, the US, Australia, India and Serbia will represent the respective countries in the deliberations of the Forum.
During the visit, the prime minister will meet China’s vice premier on the sidelines of the forum.
Gilani will also meet his Kazakhstan counterpart to review progress regarding the decisions taken during his visit to the country last year.
The discussions are likely to focus on energy sector, TAPI, agriculture, aviation and defence sectors.
Gilani will also meet with the Italian prime minister to discuss bilateral relations, trade and science and technology.
