The Senate Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs has termed the pre-dialogue conditions set by the Taliban as impractical and expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of Pak Army officers in Swat.The committee held a meeting on Tuesday, at the Parliament House, under the chairmanship of Senator Haji Adeel. During the course of the meeting, the committee emphasized the need for coordination between the security forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan at the joint border and exchange of parliamentary delegations that would bring the two countries closer. The committee asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to keep a close watch on the developments in Afghanistan and explain as to why 20,000 American troops are present in the country even after America’s withdrawal by the end of 2014. Haji Adeel said that Maulvi Fazlullah group was involved in the attack on Major General Sanaullah and the Taliban have become active in Swat again. He said the ANP signed the APC resolution for talks with the Taliban with a heavy heart. He said they believe that talks could be held with only those Taliban who respect the courts and constitution of Pakistan. He said that the three conditions advanced by the Taliban were not acceptable. Senator Jehangir Badr said it was important to strengthen Afghanistan and Pakistan. The aforementioned senator mentioned that the delegation also met the Afghan leader Abdullah Abdullah in Kabul and emphasised that all political groups including Taliban should take part in elections in Afghanistan. An Afghan parliamentary delegation is visiting Pakistan from 23rd September.Senator Farhatullah Babar said the US has its specific interests in Afghanistan it was keeping 20,000 troops in the country for its security. Mushahid Hussain said that a new cold war has begun in the region and after Egypt and Syria, Saudi Arabia is also distancing itself from Washington. Mr. Hussain remarked that the American policy regarding Syria has totally failed and Russia has an important role in the Syrian conflict, forcing America to follow a defensive line.
