PCNS hits snag as JUI-F announces boycott

The Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS), which is in the process of finalising the new terms of engagement with the US, on Friday faced a setback when Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) announced the boycott of proceedings, saying that the government has already taken a decision to reopen Nato supply route.
The committee has delayed finalisation of the draft recommendations many a time owing to the earlier boycott of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) against the increase in POL products' prices. The committee's meeting was cancelled on Friday on the request of the PML-N which sought time to discuss within the party the past three-day proceedings held in the absence of the party's participation owing to the boycott.
"Decision has already been taken to restore the Nato supply route and it is not possible for me to remain part of the committee anymore," JUI chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman told reporters here at the Parliament House. He claimed that the decision to reopen Nato supply route had been taken recently in a trilateral meeting in Tajikistan.
He added that the government had already resolved the matters with the US and now it wanted the parliament to stamp the decision. He also announced not to attend the consultative meeting on the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill deferred by the joint sitting of the parliament for consultation after reservations expressed by JUI-F lawmakers, terming it an "Indian bill". He said that his party would not become part of the move to pass the bill on the pressure of the NGOs.
He further argued that consultative committees were of no use and these take decisions whenever pressure is exerted. Following the announced PCNS chairman Senator Raza Rabbani rushed to meet Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman to console him but could not succeed. Rabani urged Fazal not to boycott the proceedings of the committee and also told him that the panel belongs to the parliament and not the government.
However, Fazal said that it was not for him to take back the decision individually, adding his party would decide whether or not to remain part of the committee. It is pertinent to mention here that another religious party Jamaat-i-Islami had already distanced itself from the committee. Meanwhile, Rabbani told media that the committee's Friday meeting was cancelled and it would now be held on Monday.