Aziz to hold briefing in Senate on Pakistan's foreign policy

The decision was taken after PPP's parliamentary leader Raza Rabbani proposed such a move

Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz will soon hold a briefing in the Senate on foreign policy with particular reference to talks with the Taliban and the recent clashes at the LoC.

 

The decision to hold a briefing was taken after PPP's parliamentary leader Raza Rabbani today proposed such a move.

 

Leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq immediately accepted it. He said he would try to arrange the briefing this week and inform the House about the date.

 

Speaking on a point of order, Rabbani regretted that the new government had not taken the Parliament into confidence so far on its foreign policy.

 

He said the Advisor must brief them on the Afghan situation and recent clashes at the Line of Control.

 

Rabbani also said the government must take parliament into confidence on its plan to reconstitute the National Security Council, which seemed to be a violation of the Charter of Democracy signed by the PPP and the PML-N in May 2006, the Dawn reported.

 

He said these were important issues and the national security adviser should be asked to brief Senate on it within this week.

 

Both the government and the opposition also agreed to hold a full-fledged debate on the procedure for appointment of judges of superior courts on a motion moved by PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar.

 

The issue of the acquiring private land in the name of defence and national security and refusal by the defence ministry to pay compensation to owners came under sharp criticism in Senate on a motion moved by Babar.

 

Senators introduced six private member bills, three of them on constitutional amendment. The bills were referred to standing committees concerned.

 

Two constitutional amendment bills were tabled by independent Senator Mohsin Leghari seeking powers for parliament to "create new provinces" and making it mandatory to hold local government elections within 45 days after the expiry of the term.