Senators for linking Afghan peace with end to drone strikes

Members of the Upper House of parliament on Monday expressed grave concern over the passage of a bill by the US Congress allowing CIA to conduct drone strikes inside Pakistan “at will”, urging the government to link the country’s help to the US in the Afghan peace process with an end to drone strikes. The senators also demanded the government take up the matter with the United Nations Security Council, as the bill was in violation of the UN conventions and threatened the sovereignty of the Pakistani state. The matter was raised by opposition Senator Syed Zafar Ali Shah and was duly supported by the treasury benches, with PML-Q’s Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayyed asking the government to link the assistance in Afghan peace process with halting drone attacks. Speaking on a point of order, Mushahid said the US congress had empowered the CIA to conduct drone attacks inside Pakistan that were unacceptable to Pakistan. “On one hand, the US is seeking assistance from Pakistan for negotiations in Afghanistan to restore peace in the war hit country, while on the other it is allowing more attacks inside Pakistan,” he added. Mushahid said with the US forces withdrawing from Afghanistan, such a heavy logistic operation was going to take place in region that a truck with logistics would be passing through Pakistan every seven minutes. “Such a heavy logistic exercise is impossible without assistance from Pakistan. We should link assistance in Afghan peace process with halting drone operations,” he remarked.
Zafar Ali Shah said the US Congress had passed a bill allowing the CIA to carry out drone strikes inside Pakistan “at will” which was a violation of the UN laws and also the sovereignty of the state. “Even when the Indian home minister has admitted that the BJP is harbouring terrorists inside India, there is no action by the US. However, the US has given blanket powers to the CIA to conduct drone strikes in Pakistan despite our sacrifices made in the war against terrorism,” he added.
Raja Zafarul Haq of the PML-N said President Barrack Obama had taken oath for his second term as the US president, but the signing of the law allowing CIA a free was to be held in 15-days’ time. “We hope the Foreign Ministry, armed forces and the government take up the matter with the UNSC,” he added.
RABBANI REVOLUTION: Senator Raza Rabbani said the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PNSC) would also take up the matter. Speaking on a point of order, Rabbani said a drone attack was being made on the democratic process in the country and the long march was part of a failed attempt to subvert the democratic government.
Rabbani said the revolution never came, but this would not be the last attempt to derail the democratic process in the country. He said there was a perception in the country following the 18th and 20th amendments that the role of the ruling elites in formation of the Election Commission and installing of the caretaker government had come to an end and an elected government would complete its term and a peaceful transition would be made. “However, an effort is being made from the backdoor to ensure some role for the ruling elites in the nomination of the caretaker government and the formulation of ECP. Under this scheme, the election commission is being targeted,” he said. Rabbani said the demand to dissolve the ECP was aimed at seeking some influence of the elites to steal the elections, as had been the practice in the past. “But Article 213 has blocked this possibility,” he added. Rabbani said Article 215 made it clear that the chief election commissioner could only be removed through Article 209 and only the Supreme Judicial Council could remove the CEC.
“Don’t play with fire. Elections in Balochistan should be held in a transparent manner, otherwise, it could have serious consequences. Moreover, the caretaker government could be installed in consultation with all political stakeholders under Article 223. The demand of consultation with the judiciary and the armed forces is unconstitutional,” he added.
ARMY, JUDICIARY: He said if the army and judiciary were consulted for caretaker government’s formation, it would be a violation of the constitution as the army’s oath did not allow it to take part in politics, while under the principle of trichotomy of powers, the judiciary could not be consulted.
“Moreover, if the judiciary is consulted, no court would be able to hear any writ petition against the caretakers, as the judiciary would be a party in caretaker’s nomination,” he added. The PPP leader said efforts were on to stem the supremacy of parliament, adding that the demand for verification of candidates’ nomination papers in 30 days was absurd and against the law. Senate Chairman Nayyar Hussain Bokhari interrupted Rabbani, saying a matter could not be debated on mere assumption. Meanwhile, the Upper House of parliament unanimously passed a resolution asking the federal government to recommend the name of Shaheed Bashir Ahmed Bilour for Nobel Prize.
Meanwhile, PML-N members staged a walkout from Senate proceedings to protest the remarks by Interior Minister Rehman Malik against Dr Tahirul Qadri. They said Malik likened Dr Qadri cap with that of a pope, who was a respected figure across the globe. They asked the minister to submit an apology. The walkout was called off when PPP Chief Whip Islamuddin Shaikh assured the House that Malik would clear his position in a few days.