PCNS fails to make headway on recommendations

Adding to the frustration of the US and NATO allies, the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) on Monday again failed to make any headway in finalising the re-evaluation of some of its recommendations, especially about resumption of NATO supplies, as the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz members stayed away from the committee’s proceedings. The PCNS is tasked with re-evaluating ties of Pakistan with the US and NATO following the attack in Mohmand Agency on two Pakistani checkposts in which 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed.
Pakistan blocked NATO supplies on November 26 soon after the “unprovoked attack” by allied forces. The US administration has been urging Pakistan to restore NATO supplies and review its decision as its forces stationed in Afghanistan badly needed resumption of supplies.
The JUI-F shoora, meanwhile, turned down an appeal by President Asif Ali Zardari to end its boycott of the PCNS and other parliamentary committees. The PCNS members from the PML-N also did not attend the meeting due to their participation in the energy conference being held in Lahore.
PCNS Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani expressed utter disappointment with the boycott by the JUI-F chief and said he had played an active role in the committee’s recommendations. He urged the JUI-F chief to review his decision and attend the meetings. He, however, claimed that the PCNS would make a breakthrough in its meeting scheduled today (Tuesday).
Earlier in the day, the JUI-F parliamentary party meeting was held under the leadership of Fazlur Rehman. According to a JUI-F spokesman, it was decided in the meeting that the party should continue opposing the restoration of NATO supply routes and it would not become a part of any such forum that paved the way for the restoration of the blocked routes.
Also opposing the proposed bill for law against domestic violence, the spokesman said the bill was a plot to demolish the social structure and family system and if efforts were made to get this bill passed, a countrywide protest would be launched in cooperation with other parties.