RAWALPINDI  - The Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association (PESA) on Tuesday asked the government to stop maligning the Supreme Court after its judgement against the prime minister.
The government invited this judgement by its persistent refusal to write a letter to Swiss authorities, informing them that NRO was no more a valid law, it said. This was observed in a meeting of PESA Executive Council, attended by Vice Admiral Ahmad Tasnim, Air Marshal Masood Akhtar, Lt Gen Naeem Akbar, former ambassador Salim Nawaz Gandapur, Brig Mian Mahmud, Brig Syed Masud ul Hassan and others.
They said that government’s efforts to ridicule the judiciary expose hollowness of its claims about democracy, rule of law, respect for judiciary and upholding the Constitution.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has lost moral grounds to stay in the office after conviction, they said adding that policy of confrontation will help government present a budget which will be extension of failed economic policies to compound miseries of masses. The meeting expressed grave concern over the deteriorating situation of law and order in Balochistan and Karachi and demanded steps to eliminate powerful political forces fuelling the lawlessness.
PESA suggested that gas should be immediately imported from Iran while giving preference to the people of Balochistan. NATO supply route should be reopened for sole purpose of troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, they said adding that mere apology on Salala checkpost attack will not be enough.
Those who say suspension of NATO supplies is violation international law should also state the legality of frequent violation of Pakistan’s land and airspace, drone attacks, threats to isolate Pakistan and media trial.
The government was asked to revisit its role in the so-called war on terror, foreign, defence and counter-terror policies, which must be based on well-defined vital national interests.
Expressing serious concerns over the implications of Most Favoured Nation status to India, they said that it is detrimental to our economy and national security. Government should ensure that this facility is not misused to transport NATO/ISAF supplies from India to Afghanistan through Pakistan.
The meeting expressed astonishment over New Delhi’s toughened stance on Siachen following some flexibility shown by Islamabad.
 Prayers were offered for gallant soldiers and civilians trapped under the avalanche in Giari sector and tireless efforts of troops busy in rescue operations were appreciated. Members expressed sincere thanks to Air Marshal Asghar Khan (Retd) to become Patron-in-Chief of PESA. His guidance will help PESA in achieving its objectives.