Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence Senator Nisar A Memon has said that Pakistan's sovereign territorial integrity is under attack and responsible members of the Senate and National Assembly need to join forces to protect it with one voice reflecting the aspirations of people of Pakistan.
Speaking at a press conference at Karachi Press Club here on Thursday, he said that parliamentarians needed to take urgent notice of US think tank reports that efforts be made to weaken and balkanise Pakistan.
Memon said that certain strategic relationships like Pak-China ties had been put on the back burner by the government, which was playing directly in the hands of those who wished to weaken Pakistan. He insisted that any plans to give India access to Gawadar will be against our national interests.
Talking about the unfriendly relations with Afghanistan, Senator Memon emphasised the need to accept Durand line between Pakistan and Afghanistan for improved bilateral relations and demanded return of Afghan refugees to their homeland. He expected transparency from government on the discussions and deals with the US to clear the perception of compromise on sovereignty.
MNA Marvi Memon daughter of Nisar Memon, who also addressed the press conference, said that Pakistan's national defence strategy was being compromised by the appeasement shown by government in its dealings with India. She emphasised the need for a firmer hand on issues such as human rights violations in Kashmir, and water treaty violations by India.
She also demanded of the government to put into place a transparent macroeconomic stabilisation package and provide relief to the people on food and energy needs, instead of following the diktats of world financial institutions to withdraw subsidies. Senator Memon sought a serious commitment from the government to eradicate the menace of extremism from society by evolving a consensus national policy. He insisted that there was an immediate need for a concerted strategy to harmonising relations between federating units, instead of creating politics of division, deceit and corruption.