The parliamentary committee on national security has decided to included military in its next meeting to prepare a balanced reply to US allegations on Pakistan.
During today's meeting the committee members demanded inclusion of military leadership in next meeting. Opposition leader Khursheed Shah also said that officials from finance ministry also be included.
"The officials from military and finance should also be included in next meeting," he said. "We do not need an emotional response rather we need to develop a balanced and rational strategy."
Earlier today, the meeting of committee started in Islamabad chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
The committee talked about recent tweet by US President Donald Trump regarding aid to Pakistan and will discuss about Pakistan's diplomatic reply.
Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir, Secretary Defence were present in the meeting where Asif will brief committee about current scenario.
Furthermore, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar, Aftab Sherpao, Mushahidullah, Khursheed Shah and Senator Zafarullah were also present in the meeting.
Foreign Minister also discussed the future policies of Pakistan regarding United States with parliament members.
After National Security Meeting (NSC) and federal cabinet, this was the third high level meeting on issue of ties with US. Along with Asif, National Security Adviser Lt Gen (r) Nasir Janjua and Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua will also brief the parliamentarians.
Yesterday, despite serious reservations over the unwarranted allegations levelled against Pakistan by the US President Donald Trump , the civil and military leadership on Tuesday decided to act responsibly by continuously playing a constructive role towards an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
The National Security Committee (NSC) meeting held under the chair of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi observed that the US president’s statements were “completely incomprehensible as they contradicted facts, struck with great insensitivity at the trust between the two nations build over generations and negated the matchless sacrifices made by Pakistani nation in the war on terror”.
It was also decided in the meeting that the government would take all the parliamentary parties into confidence as regards the government policy towards the hostile position taken by the United States against Pakistan and in this connection a joint session of the parliament would also be called in due course.
In his first tweet of the new year, the US president had accused Pakistan of basing its relations with the US on “nothing but lies and deceit”. Adding, “The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years. “They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!” he added.
Soon after the NSC meeting, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif challenged the US president’s claim that America had given to Pakistan over $33 billion in aid over the past 15 years and suggested verification of the claim through an independent audit.
