Rabbani calls for consensus on national security issues

ISLAMABAD: Former chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani on Monday called for formulating national consensus to meet the challenges of national security while proposing five point agenda to achieve a national consensus, suggesting holding of in-camera joint session of both the houses of the Parliament and formation of the parliamentary committee on national security. “To face these amongst other challenges which have already started to knock at our door a national, bi-partisan approach is required and to elect a parliamentary committee on national security in the light of the debate in the House, briefings and consultations with all stakeholders including the military, draft a consensus strategy paper,” he said while demanding the formulating a national consensus on the national security issues.

Senator Rabbani said the internal security situation continues to deteriorate as over 150 acts of terrorism have taken place in the past two months particularly in the merged areas of former Fata in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

He said as the situation further develops in Afghanistan it’s fallout will become more pronounced in Pakistan in the shape of rise in extremism, activation of sleeper cells, acts of terrorism aided and abetted by RAW and other agencies.

Rabbani said the unexpected incident like the episode of the Afghan ambassador’s daughter, and subsequent withdrawal of the ambassador such incidents will put Pakistan under pressure. He said the complex question of a fresh wave of Afghan refugees, if that happens, cannot be solely addressed by the fenced border. “A comprehensive plan both internally and internationally will be required,” he said.