ISLAMABAD: Senior leaders of ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Monday were briefed by Senator Mian Raza Rabbani on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS), as he stressed the need of bringing all sorts of engagements with the United States and Nato in black and white agreements.
Sources say, during a meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, the party leadership was of the view that for bringing the Pak-US relations back on track, the restoration of the Nato supply routes should be ensured on the basis of revised terms and conditions. It was decided that the PPP leaders would adopt a strategy in consultation with the coalition partners during the joint sitting of the Parliament starting from today (Tuesday).
Sources further said Syed Khursheed Shah was directed by Prime Minister Gilani to contact the opposition parties as well so that consensus proposals for redefining of the foreign policy should come up with a specific reference to the Nato supply restoration and the country’s role in war on terror.Sources said the imminent reshuffle in the federal cabinet, upcoming finance bill and the party’s future strategy was also discussed, as the leaders decided that the government in coming days would come up with major relief measures for general public to further enhance the image of the party.
The matter of appointment of Leader of the House in Senate also came under discussion and the meeting agreed that the final decision would be made by President Asif Ali Zardari soon after the Parliament session. Similarly, the parliamentary committees of the Upper House would also be formed next week, while ensuring the representation of all the parties as per their strength in the house and obliging the junior coalition partners.
They also discussed the expected fallout of the prime minister’s response, filed in the contempt of court proceedings against him in the Supreme Court.The meeting also vowed not to let the position of the Parliament compromised, adding that they would fight the legal battle for the supremacy of the Parliament at all available forums.The PPP leadership was of the view that state organs should work within their defined constitutional ambit and nobody would be allowed to infringe upon each other’s rights.
Chairman Senate Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Shah, Federal Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Nazar Mohammad Gondal and Senator Mian Raza Rabbani attended the meeting.Meanwhile, the joint parliamentary parties meeting of the ruling coalition is scheduled for today before the joint sitting of the Parliament to draw a strategy for the session. – Nation
