The leadership of mainstream political parties said the entire nation was united with its armed forces against any external or internal threat and hoped the government will implement the resolution. No major political party leader talked to media, with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, PML-Q President Shujaat Hussain and ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali shying away from journalists who had waited outside the PM House for 10 hours.
MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi said a political strategy was needed and not the strategy of the armed forces. JUI-F secretary general Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said the parliament had passed many resolutions which were not implemented. JI chief Munawar Hassan said the US admin crossed the red line to unite Pakistan and trigger anti-Americanism. JUI-S chief Maulana Samiul Haq said his party stood by the armed forces against US aggression. PTI chief Imran Khan said his party had opposed military operations in Waziristan from day one and dialogue with militants was the way forward.
Sheikh Rasheed said that they stood behind the armed forces. He said the parliament’s implementation committee will ensure the resolution is implemented. He said General Kayani briefed APC members twice on the US stand-off and the magnitude of US threats to Pakistan. Sunni Ittehad Council chief Sahibzada Fazle Kareem hoped the resolution will be implemented and the parliamentary body appointed will monitor its implementation.
Text of APC Resolution
On the invitation of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the leaders of Pakistan’s political parties met in Islamabad on September 29, 2011 to consider issues relating to national security The conference was briefed by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and ISI Director General Ahmed Shuja Pasha on the security environment of the country and the regional situation. After in-depth deliberations, leaders of all political parties unanimously resolved, as follows.
i. As a peace-loving country, Pakistan desires to establish and maintain friendly and cordial relations with all countries of the world on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual interest and respect.
ii. All Parties Conference recognized that there has to be a new direction and policy with a focus on peace and reconciliation. “Give peace a chance” must be the guiding central principle henceforth.
iii. Pakistan must initiate dialogue with a view to negotiate peace with our own people in the tribal areas and a proper mechanism for this be put in place.
iv. We need to further enhance our brotherly bilateral relations with Afghanistan at three levels on priority basis: government to government, institution to institution and people to people.
v. The APC recognized the sacrifices of the people and the Security Forces of Pakistan, especially the people of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and tribal areas. The international community needs to recognize these tremendous sacrifices as well as the colossal magnitude of destruction in Pakistan.
vi. Pakistan can enhance its self-reliance comprehensively. Trade, not aid, should clearly be the way forward. We should also focus on internal economic and tax reforms as well as resource mobilization and the curbing of corruption.
vii.Defence of Pakistan’s sovereignty and its territorial integrity is a sacred duty which shall never be compromised.
viii.National interests are supreme and shall guide Pakistan’s policy and response to all challenges at all times.
ix. Pakistan shall continue to endeavor to promote stability and peace at the regional and global planes, in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.
x. All earlier unanimous resolutions of the Parliament, the recommendation of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on National Security must be implemented.
xi. APC rejected the recent assertions and baseless allegations made against Pakistan. Such assertions are without substance and derogatory to a partnership approach.
xii.The Pakistani nation affirms its full solidarity and support for the armed forces of Pakistan in defeating any threat to national security.
xiii.A Parliamentary Committee be formed to oversee the implementation of earlier resolutions as well as this Resolution and progress on the same be made public on monthly basis.
