The Senate Standing Committee on Defence Chairman, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed said on Wednesday that the committee would revisit the defence paradigm and would prepare a defence policy strategy document.
He said that the document would reflect the viewpoint of all the stakeholders.
While addressing a group of participants of the 97th National Management Course (NMC) here, he said that an assertive role of the parliament was required to avert emerging realities at national, regional and global levels. Mushahid further stated that there were multiple power centers in the country playing their role. He remarked that the parliament was alive to the needs of the people, the judiciary was independent, the media was vibrant and the civil society was actively participating in decision making. He said that national security, in view of the changed scenario needed a broader definition. He briefed the participants about the overhauled and expended role of the parliament. He observed that it was parliament which took a stand on Iraq war.
Balochistan Committee report was another initiative of the parliament to address genuine grievances of the Baloch people, he added.
He termed it extremely unfortunate that the recommendations of the committee were not implemented in letter and spirit. Moreover, the parliament, after Salala incident, took a unanimous decision to redefine the terms of engagement with the United States (US) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), he added. He also said that the Parliamentary Committee on National Security unanimously approved recommendations in this regard.
Regarding the presidential election in the US, he expressed the hope that US President Barack Obama would play a bolder role this time. He demanded abandoning of drone strikes to win the hearts and minds of the local population.
Responding to various questions, Mushahid said that the US failed in Afghanistan because of its own flawed policies. The regional situation demanded from us to play an active role to protect and promote our national interests. He called for promoting regional cooperation and economic integration to work for the collective benefit of the people.
He pointed out that contours of defence now included climate change, cyber warfare, terrorism, and extremism which required comprehensive policies. He apprised the participants about the initiatives of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production.
He said that the committee would act as a bridge between the khakis and muftis. Public hearings on core issues related to national security had been organized and seminars were being arranged to seek guidance from experts and scholars in different fields to finalize a comprehensive defence strategy document, he observed.
Mushahid remarked that the Defence Committee would establish new parliamentary traditions and would seek guidance from all stakeholders including defence and security institutions, think tanks, media and others to formulate solid recommendations to further strengthen the defence of the country.
Mushahid expressed the hope that the committee would proactively engage in such a discourse which would help in formulating recommendations on new lines. He observed that national security was of paramount significance and unanimity of opinion existed among all schools of thought in this regard.
Later, National School of Public Policy Rector, Ismail Qureshi thanked Mushahid for delivering a candid speech and interacting with the participants. Secretary Senate Iftekharullah Babar was also present on the occasion.
