PTI announces to suspend NATO supplies

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday decided to suspend NATO supplies in the wake of the killing of TTP chief Hakeemullah Mehsud by a US drone.
Announcing the decision at a press conference after a meeting of PTI’s top leadership, Imran Khan demanded an end to drone attacks and said his party had decided to adopt democratic means by seeking political support for the decision.
“NATO supplies must be stopped and remain so till such time that the federal government is able to stop drones and give a clear commitment about the efforts for structured dialogue for peace. The CM of KP has decided to call an emergency session of the provincial assembly to pass a resolution and to build up support with all other parties for this purpose. It is imperative for the KP government to get passed a resolution in the provincial assembly on an emergency basis to stop NATO supplies. The people of FATA and KPK have been devastated by the over nine years,” he added.
Experts view the move a major decision. If the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government blocks the NATO supplies, this may trigger a major constitutional crisis.
“Now the PTI will move resolutions in the National, Sindh and Punjab assemblies to block NATO supplies. The KP Assembly will pass a unanimous resolution. I will move a resolution in the National Assembly on Monday,” Imran Khan said.
He said that the only condition to talks with the TTP was an end to drone attacks. “But just before the talks began, we saw this drone strike taking place which is a part of “greater plot” to derail the peace process.”
To a question as to how a provincial government could take a decision contrary to the federal government’s policy, Imran Khan explained that their decision was well within legal means available. He said that the recourse of blocking the NATO supplies had been approved by the Peshawar High Court in its decision on drone strikes and it had called on the government to do all it could, including approaching the United Nations.
“We will forward a resolution in the Sindh Assembly, where we have representation, to stop the flow of NATO supplies and will also raise the issue in the National Assembly,” he said.
He said a resolution would be moved by PTI’s opposition leader Mahmoodur Rashid in the Punjab Assembly. The nation – including the political parties – needed to be united to turn things around in the country, Imran said.
Shortly after the press conference, the PTI issued a press release on its website, saying, “We call for an immediate All Parties Conference which must support our decision of stopping NATO supplies, given the disruption of the dialogue process.”
Separately, PTI Senior Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi talked to PPP leader Khurshid Shah on the phone and urged to hold a joint meeting on Monday to review the situation.
Both discussed the agenda with reference to peace talks during their contact. They agreed on holding talks with other opposition parties with regard to peace talks with the TTP on November 4 besides exchanging views on evolving joint strategy.