The Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC)
gave a go-ahead on April 17 for starting negotiations
with the United States (US) for resetting
ties in the light of parliamentary review,
reports Dawn. The negotiations are
expected to primarily revolve round resumption
of NATO supplies, counter-terrorism cooperation,
greater transparency in US operations in Pakistan,
demand for civilian nuclear deal and expulsion
of foreign operatives from the country. Strangely,
cessation of drone attacks, demanded by Parliament
and long viewed as a breach of sovereignty,
is missing from the Government’s list of priorities
for upcoming parleys. “The DCC discussed guidelines
approved by Parliament on April 12, 2012,
with regard to Pakistan’s foreign and security
policies. It was decided that a work plan
may be developed for effective implementation
of parliamentary guidelines based on Pakistan’s
national interests,” a statement issued simultaneously
by the Foreign Office and Prime Minister’s
office said after the conclusion of the meeting
of the country’s top security policy coordination
forum.
Prime Minister Gilani announcing the key “policy
parameters” for re-engagement with the US
in his opening remarks said, “Negotiation
on new terms and conditions for resumption
of the Ground Lines of Communication (more
commonly referred to as NATO supply routes),
joint counter-terrorism cooperation, greater
inter-agency coordination, transparency in
US diplomatic and intelligence footprint in
Pakistan, strengthening of border security
and non-use of Pakistan’s territory for attacks
on other countries and expulsion of all foreign
fighters from Pakistan’s territory, are our
fundamental policy parameters.” |
