Gilani for national policy on security
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday urged the National Assembly to form a national policy on the basis of the recommendations of parliamentary committee on national security. “It should be a national policy, a home made policy made in the light of these (committee) recommendations,” he said speaking in the National Assembly after minister for Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan wound up debate on the President’s address to the parliament.
He said the policy should be such which President Asif Ali Zardari could take to the US and tell them that it is the policy of the people of Pakistan and the parliament.“…we have certain limitations and have to see what is in our interest and what is not.”
Prime Minister Gilani said he will take the policy to the cabinet and will also take the chief ministers of all the four provinces and the Prime Minister of the AJK into confidence. “Since security is a provincial matter therefore we want that there must be national consensus and the consensus of the provinces and AJK government on the policy,” he added.
Referring to the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation, he said it was brought in the National Assembly for its consent before signing by the President. “This was done to make this forum more effective.” He said the agreement, by the NWFP government, was made in the light of tribal traditions.
The Prime Minister made it clear that the government can review the agreement if it is not followed in its true spirit. “We can review the policy and revisit the agreement (if it is not followed). We are not bound and are not puppets. We will not accept the decisions which are not in the national interest.”
He said there are only a handful of miscreants who do not want political and economic stability in the country and made it clear that the government will act if its writ is challenged. He said the tribal people are peace loving and had rendered sacrifices for the defence of Pakistan and are always ready to defend the borders of the country.
The Prime Minister reiterated that country’s nuclear programme is in safe hands and its armed forces are highly professional and “best armed forces in the world” working under the civil government. The Prime Minister took the nation into confidence and said the defence of the country is in safe hands.
He said whenever the armed forces are called, they are ready to assist the federal and civil authorities. The armed forces, he added, with the backing of the masses are always ready to defend the motherland. “If any one cast an evil eye on Pakistan, it will be over our dead bodies.”
The Prime Minister said the country at present is in grip of various rumours and in view of the political situation, the National Assembly should continue its session. He said he talked to PML (N) leader Mian Nawaz Sharif last night and he has also sent him a letter expressing the desire to hold a national conference on terrorism and extremism with the participation of all the stakeholders.
Prime Minister Gilani said PML (Q) leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain also called him and said he wants a meeting with him. He said he will take all the political parties, including their ally MQM, into confidence and allay their apprehensions over various issues. -APP
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