DCC decides not to restore Nato supplies for now

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

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ISLAMABAD: The Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) under Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has decided here on Tuesday not to tolerate the use of drones by the US as they are counterproductive. It also agreed to forbid supplies for US and Nato forces from passing through Pakistan.

The DCC has also decided to work out a framework for implementation of the guidelines drawn up by parliament regarding foreign affairs and security issues. The work plan for the purpose would be arranged by experts of various stakeholders in their meetings commencing from today (Wednesday).

The DCC will have another meeting next week to discuss the formulated framework. The meeting took stock of the overall situation pertaining to the defence environment, especially with reference to the situation in Afghanistan and its impact on Pakistan. No tangible decision has been taken having an impact on the ground in the committee's meeting, except that a broad understanding has been developed regarding a future course of action.

The meeting has divided the guidelines of parliament into two categories: one comprises actionable steps suggested in the recommendations while the other is related to principles. Well-placed sources told The News late in the evening that participating representatives of different stakeholders took part in the discussion and everyone was speaking highly of parliament's resolution.

Sources are attaching importance to the release issued after the meeting that mentioned the nuclear programme, especially the point that the government may pursue the aim of international civilian nuclear cooperation after reaffirming that there will be no compromise on Pakistan's nuclear programme. Finance Minister Senator Hafeez Shaikh who is on his way to Washington and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will be leaving for the US later and they will both be discussing as a priority this resolve of their government during their interaction with the US high-ups.

No definite schedule has been finalised about the visit of Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani for the US but she took the DCC into confidence about her discussions with her counterpart in Washington a day earlier, the sources said.

The Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Major General Ashfaq Nadeem gave a detailed account of the rescue operation being undertaken for the trapped troops and civilians in Siachen.

The DCC offered prayers for the brave officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army who are trapped under the avalanche in Siachen and decided to declare Friday (April 20, 2012) as Youm-e-Dua. The proposal for Youm-e-Dua was suggested by Prime Minister Gilani, sources said.

It was decided in the meeting that a work plan may be developed for effective implementation of parliamentary guidelines based on Pakistan's national interests. It was agreed that the 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 great national importance.

The DCC strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Kabul and other Afghan cities and reaffirmed Pakistan's support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned inclusive peace and reconciliation process.

The sources pointed out that it was observed that US authorities tried to be careful when assigning the responsibilities for the Kabul attacks of Sunday but still some voices were heard which were not desirable. Pakistan is already in touch with the US authorities regarding the regrettable incidents through diplomatic channels and Islamabad has conveyed its sentiments to Washington on this count.

Shoaib Raja adds: The PM stated that 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. He said that 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.