PML-N ends boycott of PCNS meeting

Pakistan Muslim League (N) has agreed to attend Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) following a telephone call made by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to PML (N) chief Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday. The major opposition party in the Parliament had been boycotting the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) meeting for the last three days in protest against the latest hike in petroleum and gas prices.
The government marginally reduced price by Rs 2.32 from Rs 8.94 with a view to easing opposition concerns on raise in POL products' prices. However, it was not immediately clear whether the PML-N was fully satisfied with the revised prices of petroleum products or its chief Nawaz Sharif received some assurances from the Prime Minister for another reduction in the petroleum prices anytime soon.
An official said the latest increase in the petroleum and CNG prices would help generate a considerable amount of revenue to meet Federal Board of Revenue projected target of Rs 1952 billion for the current fiscal year. He said that with an increase in the petroleum products' prices, sale tax collection would also increase.
According to a press release, "Nawaz Sharif agreed to the telephonic suggestion of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to participate in the proceedings of Parliamentary Committee on National Security being held today (Thursday) with Senator Raza Rabbani in the chair". Gilani also thanked PML (N) President for his party's effective role in an All-Party Parliamentary Committee Meeting held on March, 29 last month to finalise the recommendations regarding new rules of engagement between Pakistan and US/Nato/ISAF.
The meeting on March 29, which decided to reconvene the meeting of the PCNS to amend some controversial recommendations in light of proposal of opposition parties, was also attended by Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and DG ISI Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam, who briefed legislators on the war against terrorism and extremism.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS), which was required to finalise the review of the new terms of engagement with the US by today (Thursday) will not be able to meet the deadline due to boycott of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for the third consecutive day on Wednesday.
The committee which met with Senator Mian Raza Rabbani in the chair here at the Parliament house discussed the controversial clauses of its report, but could not complete the review process. Later, Rabbani, told media persons that the committee could not present its review report to the parliament because it had failed to meet the deadline. The panel is unable to give a final date in this regard, according to him. The PCNS chairman once again urged PML-N to rejoin proceedings of the parliamentary committee and end its boycott in the larger national interest.
However, sources said the committee had already evolved consensus on two clauses under which Pakistan will not allow any foreign country to use its air-bases and any foreign security agency will not be given permission to operate in the country. They said the committee would, however, entertain the PML-N opinion in relation to these approved clauses, after the PML-N's decision to end boycott and participate in Thursday's meeting of the committee. The sources said a deadlock persisted on the issue of resumption of supply route to the US-led Nato forces stationed in Afghanistan and the Thursday's meeting would largely focus on this contentious issue.