ISLAMABAD
Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Khurshid Shah on Monday demanded the government to take a firm and clear decision to tackle terrorism and said the opposition and people of Pakistan will support the government and the armed forces.
Speaking on a point of order in the National Assembly, Shah said that the government has changed its foreign policy which could affect interest of the country.
He demanded that the prime minister should take the House into confidence about end of talks with the Taliban, the way forward and the change in the foreign policy.
PTI lawmaker Shah Mahmood Qureshi also believed that the government has changed the direction of the foreign policy which could have regional implications.
He said a sort of operation was going on in the tribal areas but there was confusion about the government’s policy.
Awami Muslim League lawmaker Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the government should clarify position about possible military operation in the tribal areas. He said political parties were supportive of the dialogue and the government should inform the House as to why military action has been initiated.
MQM lawmaker Asif Hasnain supported action against terrorists and said the dialogue did not proceed in the direction because of violent attitude of the TTP. He said the nation should support the armed forces in their efforts to defend the country.
Sher Akbar supported targeted operation in Karachi and said it could continue. As for reports of operation in the tribal areas, he said the government had convened an APC which decided to go for dialogue and now another APC should be convened if an operation was to be launched.
To the points raised by members, PML-N lawmaker Zahid Hamid said the cabinet was meeting on Tuesday (today) and would discuss these issues. He said the House will be informed accordingly.
