Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) Tuesday presented recommendations on new terms of engagement with the US, ISAF/Nato to the parliament, asking the government to seek an unconditional apology from Washington for November 26 air-strike on Salala border post as well as a firm pledge on an end to drone attacks inside Pakistan.
The PCNS recommendations were presented to the special session of joint sitting of both houses of the parliament by its chairman Senator Mian Raza Rabbani for a debate, which has been put off with a view to enabling political parties to go through the proposals till Monday on the request of leader of the opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.
The presiding officer, Chairman Senate Syed Nayar Hussain Bokhari adjourned the proceedings till March 26 to initiate debate on the recommendations to formulate new terms of engagement with US, ISAF and Nato. The guidelines proposed by the committee for revised terms of engagement with US/Nato/ISAF in particular and foreign policy in general, recommended that the country's sovereignty shall not be compromised and the relationship with the US should be based on mutual respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of each other.
Drone attack: The committee suggested that the government needs to ensure that the principles of an independent foreign policy must be in strict adherence to the principles of policy as stated in Article 40 of the constitution, the UN Charter and observance of international law.
The committee recommended that the US must review its footprints in Pakistan, which means; (i) the cessation of drone attack inside the territorial border of Pakistan; (ii) no hot pursuit or boots on Pakistani territory and; (iii) the activity of foreign private security contractors must be transparent and subject to law. The committee stated that the US needs to realise that drone attacks are causing loss of valuable lives and property, radicalising the local population and creating support for terrorists and fuelling anti-American sentiments.
Nuclear Program: The Committee on National Security recommended that Pakistan's nuclear program and assets including its safety and security cannot be compromised as US-Indo civil nuclear agreement has significantly altered the strategic balance in the region.
Therefore, Pakistan should seek from the US and others a similar treatment/facility. The committee proposed that the strategic position of Pakistan regarding India on the subject of FMCT must not be compromised and this principle be kept in view in negotiations on this matter. Pakistan reaffirms commitment to the elimination of terrorism and combating extremism in pursuance of its national interest.
Salala Attack: The PNSC condemned the Salala checkpost attack by Nato resulting in the martyrdom of 24 Pakistani soldiers and termed the incident a breach of international law and constitutes a blatant violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The government, the committee recommended, should seek an unconditional apology from the US for the unprovoked incident; (i) those held responsible for the Mohmand Agency attack should be brought to justice; (ii) Pakistan should be given assurances that such attacks or any acts impinging on Pakistan's sovereignty will not recur and that Nato and the US will take effective measures on any such violations;(iii) any use of Pakistani basis or airspace by foreign forces would require parliamentary approval; (iv) the Ministry of Defence and Nato/US to draft new flying routes for areas contiguous to the border.
Reopening of Nato supplies: The committee proposed that any consideration regarding the reopening of Nato supplies must be contingent upon a thorough revision of the terms and conditions of the arrangement including regulation and control on movement of goods and personnel, which shall be subject to strict monitoring within Pakistan on entry, transit and exit points.
(a); No verbal agreement regarding national security shall by entered into by the government, its ministries, autonomous bodies and other organisations not to enter into verbal agreement with any foreign government or authority. If any such agreement exists it should be reduced to writing immediately, failing which it shall cease to have effect within three months of the approval of these recommendations.
(b): Pakistan's territory has been used by Nato and the US for logistic purposes and the committee recommended that; (i) The government of Pakistan should revisit the MoU signed with the UK and Northern Island for ISAF; (ii); Acquisition, cross-servicing Agreement between the Department of Defence (USA) and Ministry of Defence of Pakistan dated February 2002 has lapsed in February 2012.
The committee recommended that this agreement and any implementing agreement thereunder may only be renewed on new terms and conditions that should include respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan and ensures the national interests. The Security Committee proposed that no overt or convert operation inside Pakistan shall be tolerated.
Agreement regarding military co-operation: In order to renegotiate agreements and MoUs pertaining to or dealing with matters to the national security, the committee proposed that all agreements including military co-operation and logistics will be circulated to the Foreign Ministry and all concerned Ministries, attached or affiliated Organisations and Departments for their views.
All agreements will be vetted by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and circulated to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security. The committee shall vet and make recommendations in consultation with the stakeholders and forward the same to the Federal Cabinet for approval under the Rules of Business of the federal government.
The committee suggested that the Minister concerned will make a policy statement on the agreement in both Houses of Parliament and wanted that there should be a prior permission and transparency on the number and presence of foreign intelligence operatives in Pakistan and fifty percent of US and Nato containers may be handled through Pakistan Railways.
Taxes and other charges on Nato containers (supplies): The PNSC recommended that taxes and other charges must be levied on all goods imported in or on transit through Pakistan, for use of infrastructure and to compensate for its deterioration. Such charges shall be inter alia used mainly to maintain and support infrastructure of Karachi-Torkham and Karachi-Chaman Roads.
The Security Committee said the international community should recognise Pakistan colossal human and economic losses and continued suffering due to the war on terror. The committee wanted that in the minimum, greater market access of Pakistan's exports to the US, Nato countries and global market should be actively pursued.
Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project: Parliamentary panel also called upon the government to actively pursue the gas pipeline project with Iran to meet its growing energy requirements. Coalition Support Fund: The committee proposed that a new fast track processes should be adopted with respect to reimbursement of billings and payments of CSF.
Review of Foreign Policy: The committee wanted the government to review the present focus of the foreign policy keeping in view the aspirations of the people and emphasising on links with country's traditional allies and build new relationships for diversifying the sources of economic, military and political support.
(i) Pakistan foreign policy must continue to focus on creating a peaceful environment in the region to pursue the goals of economic development and social progress; (ii) Dialogue process with India should be continued in a purposeful and result-oriented manner on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest including efforts for the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions. Special efforts must continue to be made to developing close co-operative relations with neighbours.
The strategic partnership with China be deepened and relations with the Russian Federation should be strengthened. The committee underscored the need for enhancing relationships with the Muslim world, pursuance of Pakistan's full membership of Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO), and strengthening and up-gradation of Pakistan's relations in the region and the Asean.
The Afghan Conflict: The committee in the report laid in the Parliament stated that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict and efforts must be made to promote a genuine national reconciliation in an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process.
To strengthen security along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, including the cross-border flow of criminal elements, narcotics and weapons, the feasibility of additional measures including electronic surveillance may be evaluated and the process of local joint jirgas should be encouraged according to local customs and traditions. Pakistani territory shall not be used for any kind of attacks on other countries and all foreign fighters if found, shall be expelled from the Pakistani soil. Pakistan also does not expect the soil of other countries to be used against it.
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