CNews ISLAMABAD: The senators on Wednesday called for devising an independent foreign policy and urged the government to rebut the Western states' growing criticism against the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. The Senate resumed debate on internal and external security in which Senator Maulana Rahat Hussain called for formulation of an independent foreign policy, adding that there should be a limited role of the intelligence agencies. He claimed that menace of terrorism confronting the country is the result of policies of the previous government. He said intelligence agencies of western powers are engaged in human rights' violations in different Muslim states while on the other hand they are pointing fingers at the national intelligence agency of Pakistan that is solely performing for the national security. Criticising the detention of Karachi-based Dr Aafiya Siddiqui by FBI and condemned the role of the agency. Rahat Hussain said different challenges particularly the situation in Balochistan are confronting the national security. He added that some miscreants are maligning the image of Islam by carrying out suicide attacks, adding that such subversive activities have nothing to do with the teachings of Islam. Senator Nisar Memon said the government has not given due priority to the issues confronting the country. He said extremism is the gravest threat to the national security which should be given priority over the judges' issue. He stated that as the nation has rejected the agenda of terrorists, the government should not wait for a while to dismantle their networks. Regarding law and order situation, he said incidents of suicide and kidnap for ransom are increasing by the day while the government is entangled in other issues. Nisar Memon clarified that the idea of convening a roundtable conference to discuss current issues was not floated by President Musharraf rather it was the suggestion of a businessman. The senator, who is also chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence, criticized the statement of the defence minister regarding the committee, when it summoned latter to explain the position of the government before the committee over ISI episode. He said the government has not reacted appropriately over the US nuclear deal with India and asked the foreign minister to inform the House as to what impact the deal would have over the national security.
CNews ISLAMABAD: The senators on Wednesday called for devising an independent foreign policy and urged the government to rebut the Western states' growing criticism against the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. The Senate resumed debate on internal and external security in which Senator Maulana Rahat Hussain called for formulation of an independent foreign policy, adding that there should be a limited role of the intelligence agencies. He claimed that menace of terrorism confronting the country is the result of policies of the previous government. He said intelligence agencies of western powers are engaged in human rights' violations in different Muslim states while on the other hand they are pointing fingers at the national intelligence agency of Pakistan that is solely performing for the national security. Criticising the detention of Karachi-based Dr Aafiya Siddiqui by FBI and condemned the role of the agency. Rahat Hussain said different challenges particularly the situation in Balochistan are confronting the national security. He added that some miscreants are maligning the image of Islam by carrying out suicide attacks, adding that such subversive activities have nothing to do with the teachings of Islam. Senator Nisar Memon said the government has not given due priority to the issues confronting the country. He said extremism is the gravest threat to the national security which should be given priority over the judges' issue. He stated that as the nation has rejected the agenda of terrorists, the government should not wait for a while to dismantle their networks. Regarding law and order situation, he said incidents of suicide and kidnap for ransom are increasing by the day while the government is entangled in other issues. Nisar Memon clarified that the idea of convening a roundtable conference to discuss current issues was not floated by President Musharraf rather it was the suggestion of a businessman. The senator, who is also chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence, criticized the statement of the defence minister regarding the committee, when it summoned latter to explain the position of the government before the committee over ISI episode. He said the government has not reacted appropriately over the US nuclear deal with India and asked the foreign minister to inform the House as to what impact the deal would have over the national security.
