Afghan situation: Rabbani for taking Parliament into confidence

ISLAMABAD: Former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani has expressed concerns on keeping the parliament out of loop over the emerging situation in the region, particularly in Afghanistan.

“It is, therefore, suggested that as the situation further develops in Afghanistan, its fallout will become more evident in Pakistan in the shape of rise in extremism, activation of sleeper cells, acts of terrorism aided and abetted by the RAW and other agencies,” he said. He demanded an in-camera joint session of both houses of the parliament to discuss the situation emerging in region in the context of Afghanistan to formulate a national consensus on matters of national security.

He said the visit by the Saudi foreign minister at a time when the region is heading towards destabilisation, the talk of a “strategic direction” assumes significance. “The visit of the unelected advisor on National Security to the US in the regional context is also of great importance,” he said, adding that 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. “But the parliament is not being taken into confidence as unelected people try to occupy the driving seat,” he said.

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. On the other hand, he said the role of the US in the region will not culminate by its withdrawal from Afghanistan. “It will seek a presence in the region through proxies and or agreements with countries of the region to facilitate surgical strikes,” he said and added the terrorist incident in Dasu is condemnable but it shows another dimension of a complex situation Pakistan is facing.