PML-Q has urged the Obama administration for amending the Kerry-Lugar Bill so that the reservations of Pakistani public on the bill could be removed. The message was conveyed by PML-Q leadership to US Ambassador Anne W. Patterson, here on Monday, when she called on PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain at his residence.
Giving the details of the meeting to Business Recorder, PML-Q Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Syed said during the meeting PML-Q raised all the issues with US Ambassador and urged him to convey his party's stance to the US government. While talking about the clause in the Kerry-Lugar bill regarding alleged presence of terrorists in Muridkee and Quetta, Mushahid said such things were added in the bill at the behest of Indian lobby and PML-Q had raised objections over the said clause.
He said, "The PML leadership also presented their reservation for deleting provisions regarding corruption and good governance in the bill, saying they were 'disappointed' by the amended version of Kerry Lugar Bill." Mushahid said PML-Q leadership was committed to serve the masses and in this regard no stone would be left unturned, adding that safeguarding national security interests was his party's main agenda. He added that during the meeting he (Mushahid Hussain Sayed) was also present.
The US Ambassador accompanied by Political Counsellor Bryan D. Hunt called on the PML-Q President. He further said the meeting lasted for one-hour, which was held in a cordial atmosphere, discussed various aspects of Pak-US relations, particularly the Kerry-Lugar Bill. The PML-Q leadership presented its viewpoint and objections on Kerry-Lugar Bill, Mushahid said.
"The PML leaders also informed the US envoy that instead of lauding the heroic sacrifices made by the armed forces of Pakistan against terrorists in Swat and Malakand, the USA was levelling false allegations against Pakistan's security organisations which was unacceptable."