ISLAMABAD, Aug 4 : Leader of the Upper House in Pakistan Mian Raza Rabbani Monday assured the Senate that their coalition government would defend the national sovereignty and security at all costs. Taking part in debate on internal and external security, he strongly defended the points raised by the opposition leader regarding the recent visit of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to the United States.
“Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani visited the US with public mandate. He fully defended the country’s sovereignty and its institutions during his visit and in the meetings with US officials”, Rabbani said.
“The government outrightly rejected the allegations against the Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (ISI). The PM defended the country’s interests in Washington,” he added.
He regretted the opposition had specified the patriotism within itself and thought that all other political parties had no relationship with the country.
“We don’t need to get certificate of patriotism from anyone. The history is witness to the account that such politicians did compromise the national interests just to remain in power. The past goverment reversed the country’s policies after a call from abroad. It also introduced a fundamental shift in Kashmir policy and supported this shift on the national fora,” said Rabbani, adding the opposition party had a short memory.
He reminded the opposition that during the PML-Q government, US President George W. Bush had rejected any civil nuclear energy deal with Pakistan on the lines of its accord with India.
He alleged that these past policies destabilised the country.
Referring to the situation in NWFP and FATA, Rabbani said PPP had adopted a two-pronged strategy in these areas. On the other hand, he said, the coalition government is holding dialogue as its first step while “winning the hearts and minds of people” is the second step.
He said selective use of force could be an option to tackle any security situation but “this would be done under political dispensation”.
Raza Rabbani said the establishment-backed politicians were accustomed to targeting PPP founding Chairman Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
The allegations leveled by leader of the opposition against Chairman Bhutto of establishing a political wing in the ISI are baseless as their own member had told this House that Bhutto had established no political wing, he said.
“Those who alleged that the PPP government had removed the boards of Kashmir House upon the arrival of Indian Prime Minister forget that the replica of Ghauri Missile was removed by past Government on the arrival of Indian PM,” he said.
He said the coalition government believed in making all the vital decisions after taking the parliament into confidence. The coalition government is fully clear on national issues but an impression is being created that it is inactive over the national issues
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