ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Committee on National Security on Thursday initiated its task of taking up the civil-military relations and key national and international issues and decided to invite the provinces in its next meeting to review the implementation of the National Action Plan and also review the performance of military courts.
It was also decided in the maiden meeting of the parliamentary committee that it will play its role to ease the tension in the diplomatic relations with Afghanistan and Iran.
The first meeting of the committee that was held with the chair of its Chairman National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in which Adviser to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, PM Adviser on National Security Lt Gen (retd) Nasir Janjua and Secretary Foreign Affairs Tehmina Janjua gave it briefing on the relations of Pakistan with Afghanistan and Iran and on the issue of death sentence to Indian agent Kalbushan Yadev and the situation in the region.
“The committee will create harmony among the state institutions to avert clash among them and will invite the civilian and military leadership in the committee for the consultation on the key matters relating to the national security, and, if needed, the prime minister and top military officials be invited for consultation on the matters relating to the national security,” said National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who headed the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, while talking to newsmen after the meeting.
He said the line of action would be formulated in the next meeting, which will be held after Eid. The National Assembly speaker negated the impression of difference between civil and military leadership, saying that it is wrong to say that the civil and military were not on the same page. “A small issue turns into such a big issue and all the institutions, including the media, should play their role for avoiding the confrontation among the institutions,” he said.
Briefing journalists after the meeting of the committee, the speaker said that the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, in its first meeting, called for better relations with all the neighboring countries and decided that Pakistan will continue to play its positive role to bring peace and harmony in the region. “It was decided in the meeting that in its next session the committee will review implementation of the National Action Plan and representatives of the province be invited to get their opinion,” he said.
The NA speaker said, if needed, the committee will also invite the prime minister and military leadership for the consultation on the matters relating to the national security. “Parliament, all the states institutions, civil and military leadership is stand united on the issues of the national security, and the committee could invite anyone for the consultation on the matters relating to the national security,” he added.
He said the committee, in its first meeting, gave an approval to rules and procedure for the committee, and it was decided in case of ambiguity in rules and procedure of the committee, the rules and procedure of the National Assembly will apply. “The committee meetings would be held in camera and will be held on monthly basis,” he said and added that the emergency meetings could be summoned any time.
He said the committee reports would be sent to both the Houses of Parliament--National Assembly and Senate.
The speaker said briefing on border situation with Afghanistan and Iran, and the statement of Iranian vice army chief was also examined. “The visit of Iranian foreign minister to Pakistan also came under discussion,” he added.
The NA speaker said the government desired to have good relations with all the neighbouring countries. “The ways out for the conflicting issues will be made to avoid tense situation between the neighbouring countries,” he added.
He said it was resolved that the Parliamentary Committee on National Security should also play its positive role for better relations with neighbouring countries.
He said the detailed briefing on International Court of Justice (ICJ) was also given to the committee. The state institutions will also give briefing to the committee on the matter of national security in question-answer session, he added.
To a question regarding the matter of Tweet, the NA speaker said it was a small issue that turns into big one.
It is the responsibility of all of us to save the institution from confrontation with each other and avoid propagating the internal matters as it only benefits the enemies of the country,” he added.
He said during his visit to Tehran, he assured the Iranian leadership that the Pakistan will play its responsible role while leading Military Alliance of Muslim Countries.
