ISLAMABAD: Strongly reacting to US President Donald Trump’s statement against Pakistan, lawmakers in the Upper House of parliament on Wednesday demanded that the government cut off air routes provided to US forces in Afghanistan and also cancel foreign minister’s scheduled visit to the US.
Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani warned US of Vietnam- and Cambodia-type situation in case of any ‘misadventure’. “Pakistani people have characteristics and customs like that of people in Vietnam and Cambodia … if Trump wants Pakistan to be a graveyard of the American army, we will welcome them”. He asked Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan whether foreign minister was going to the US on his scheduled visit even after anti-Pakistan statement by Trump. “If yes, he must postpone his visit to give them a befitting response,” he opined.
The House witnessed emotional speeches on the US president’s remarks against Pakistan and maintained that it was right time to forge national unity. The senators were of the view that Trump was totally wrong in pointing fingers at Pakistan but while rejecting his arrogance, Islamabad must also look inwardly whether time had not come for abandoning the failed policy of selective treatment of the militant groups.
Taking part in the discussion, Senator Farhatullah Babar deplored that the US was blaming Pakistan for its failures in Afghanistan. “But at the same time, we must also revisit the policy of nurturing some militant groups to advance our security and foreign policy agendas in the region,” he said.
Sherry Rehman regretted that the government issued a very weak statement in response to US president’s remarks.
PML-F Senator Muzafar Shah demanded the government must review its foreign policy, especially towards the US.
Opposition Leader in Senate Aitzaz Ahsan was of the view that the government must summon US ambassador and register protest over Trump’s speech.
Earlier initiating the debate, Defence Minister Khurram Dastagir said Pakistan had played its role more than any other country in eliminating terrorism. He said that no country had suffered as much as Pakistan in the war against terror. Terming the Trump’s statement as disappointing, the minister said that the US president had ignored the unmatched sacrifices Islamabad had rendered in its fight against terrorism. He asked the US president to extend support to Pakistan in eliminating terrorism instead of talking about the ‘save havens in Islamabad’.
The debate will continue today (Thursday).
Published in Daily Times, August 24th 2017.
