Apologise, end drone hits, PCNS tells US

Pakistan

Apologise, end drone hits, PCNS tells US

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The parliamentary commission demands an end to American drone attacks in the country.

20 March,2012 12:30 pm

Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) Mian Raza Rabbani presented the report of the committee on national security to the joint session of parliament, chaired by Senate Chairman nayyer Hussain Bokhari.Senator Mian Raza Rabbani presented before the session report of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security for new terms of engagements with the United States and NATO.Enumerating the salient features of the report on national security‚ Mian Raza Rabbani said that the Parliamentary Committee on National Security in its recommendations has asserted that the countrys sovereignty shall not be compromised at any cost and the relationship with the US should be based on mutual respect for the sovereignty‚ independence and territorial integrity of each others.The recommendations asks the government to ensure that the principles of an independent foreign policy must be ground 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 report says that the US must review its footprints in Pakistan and stop the drone strikes inside the territorial borders of Pakistan. It calls for no hot pursuit or boots on Pakistani territory and the activity of foreign private security contractors must be transparent and subject to Pakistani law. It needs to be realized that drone attacks are counter productive‚ cause loss of valuable lives and property‚ radicalize the local population and create support for terrorists and fuel anti American sentiments.Raza Rabbani said the report emphasizes that Pakistans nuclear programme and assets including its safety and security cannot be compromised. The 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. It said 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.The report reaffirms Pakistans commitment to the elimination of terrorism and combating extremism in pursuance of its national interest.Condemning the Salala check post attack by NATO that resulted in the martyrdom of 24 Pakistani soldiers‚ the report termed the incident a breach of international law and constitutes a blatant violation of Pakistans sovereignty and territorial integrity. The government‚ the report‚ said should seek an unconditional apology from the US for the unprovoked incident.