With failing to agree on suspension of the NATO supplies, the opposition parties on Tuesday assured the government its cooperation and support in the peace process with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
During the National Assembly session, leaders of the opposition parties called upon the government to adopt a serious approach towards dialogue process as the country could not afford more losses.
Prior to the start of the session, which started around half-an-hour late of its scheduled time, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership made efforts to win support of two major opposition parties – the PPP and the MQM – for its resolution on suspension of NATO supplies until an end to drone strikes. However, it did not yield the desired results. The PTI is likely to table a resolution in the House seeking support for its decision to suspend the supplies. But the opposition leadership agreed on supporting the federal government’s efforts of holding talks with the TTP.
During the meeting, the leaders of PTI, Awami Muslim League (AML) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) stressed for the need of cutting off NATO supplies, however, the PPP and MQM did not support it.
Later, when the session started, debate on peace process started and unity among the opposition and treasury benches was witnessed on keeping up efforts for peace talks despite the recent drone strike.
Opening the debate, leader of the opposition Khursheed Shah assured the government of full cooperation in resolving the issues confronting the country.
For surprise to many, he also toed the line adopted by Imran Khan about the war on terror, saying that the (former military) dictator had brought the war of others into Pakistan – a statement never adopted by the PPP leadership in the past eight years.
He added, “It is the opinion of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) that the policies of dictators have created problems for our country and its people.” This is in contrast to the PPP’s five-year-rule from 2008 to 2012 when his own party did not change any policy of the former dictator General (r) Musharraf.
Referring to the All Parties Conference (APC) on peace process, he said that the opposition had given mandate to the government for holding dialogue with the TTP and that the opposition wanted to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions and it “did not want to give a tough time” to the government.
“The opposition does not want to play politics on critical issues … Pakistanis should jointly convey to the world that achieving peace is an imperative for the country’s progress and prosperity.”
He said the opposition should be briefed on the details of the prime minister’s visit to the United States and blamed the government for following a confused policy on drone attacks. He said the drones did not strike the country for the first time but a number of wanted terrorists were killed in such attacks in the past.
“The government itself created a great hype on this drone strike and now it is its responsibility to give proper direction for future course of action on this issue,” he maintained, reflecting that his party did not approve for a strong reaction over the matter.
Shah also criticised the prime minister for remaining absent from the proceedings.
PTI Deputy Parliamentary Leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the opposition was anxiously waiting for future strategy of the government over the dialogue process and drones.
“I wonder what the future strategy of the government is over the matter. But its seriousness is reflective from the seriousness of treasury benches towards the matter,” he said while referring to the empty treasury benches.
Kashmir Affairs Minister Berjees Tahir tried to make a quick response to the opposition’s criticism and assured that the PM would attend the session to respond to the concerns of all the members.
But it was turn for JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman who urged the government and the opposition to jointly find a way to resolve the important issue.
“An impression is being created that only one political party (read PTI) is serious or keen to resolve this matter. This should not be conveyed to the masses if we want a joint voice to be sent to the world,” he said, adding that those who were talking about religion should not be dubbed as extremists. Calling for addressing the root causes of terrorism for revival of peace and stability in the country, the JUI chief called for continuing with the efforts of dialogue for peace.
He also endorsed the criticism of opposition benches that the government should show seriousness, which was being expected from it on this important matter.
MQM’s parliamentary leader Dr Farooq Sattar also stressed the need for a national consensus on talks with the TTP. However, he argued that resolution for cutting off NATO supplies should not be linked with talks with the TTP as it may create divisions in the House.
“If such kind of a resolution is passed, it will be tantamount to endorse Taliban’s stance,” he said, adding that it was clearly giving an impression that the Taliban were dictating their agenda under the garb of negotiations. He said that there should be division between a murderer and a martyr. “Killers should not be made heroes,” he added.
