Senate condemns Nato air strikes

The Upper House of Parliament on Friday unanimously passed a resolution, condemning in strongest possible terms the Nato air strikes, warning the aggressors of dire consequences if involved again in violation of Pakistan's airspace. The Senate described Nato forces' air attack as 'barbaric', which killed 28 soldiers, and said that the US always makes promises of enduring strategic partnership but acts otherwise.
Leader of the Opposition in Senate Abdul Ghafoor Haideri moved the resolution which was backed by senators belonging to both treasury and opposition. "This House strongly condemns the Nato aggression. It is an attack on sovereignty and integrity of the country, and the entire nation is aggrieved on the incident. This barbaric act is totally intolerable," it said. The resolution said: "It is not first such attack on Pakistan forces as similar strikes have been taking place in the past as well. Hence, this House does not accept the excuse of Nato that the attack was a result of misunderstanding."
It added: "The attack was contrary to UN resolutions and international laws." Besides, an early implementation of parliament's unanimous resolutions of October 22, 2008 and May 13, 2011, the resolution demanded to resist such attacks in every possible way. Haideri said that US "has never stood by Pakistan" in difficult times. "The US acts only when it has its own vested interests in the region [South Asia] that endangers us and the regional peace", he added.
He said that the US has become antagonist and Pakistan needs to carry out post mortem of its ten-year alliance with the US. "Time has come that we must make it sure that US has been using Pakistan to serve its own interests only and harbours ill designs against Pakistan...we need to determine whether we continue with this self-destructive conformist policy or not", he said.
He lauded the government for ordering vacation of Shamsi airbase but the three other bases are still being used by US to carry out attacks. He said that Shahbaz air base, in Jacobabad, about 300 miles southeast of Kandahar, is also being used to support the 'Operation Enduring Freedom' campaign in Afghanistan. Khalid and Galbanti air bases are also in US control, which also needs vacation, he added.
About memogate scandal, he said that writing such letters was tantamount to treason. The elements involved in writing such things, he said, must be taken to task as "it is an insult and attack on sovereignty of Pakistan". Saleem Saifullah said that people have lost all hope in politicians because they are always kept in dark on matters of national importance.
"We as parliamentarians have no idea how many airports are being used by US. When we ask the foreign minister, she says there is no written agreements. How dare you allow foreign forces to use your airbase without any [written] agreement"? he questioned. He said that after Salalah air attacks, "we have taken a bold stand by telling the US to get out of Shamsi airbase, which is a strong initiative and we must not budge from our stance."
"These so-called champions of human rights, who do not hesitate to kill innocent people including women and children, must stop drone attacks as it is the worst kind of human rights violation", he added. Adeel of ANP left no stone unturned in defending President Asif Ali Zardari, saying that his party would go to the extent of resistance to defend the present government and President Zardari on the burning national issues.
"This was the first time that any government dared to stand in front of the policeman of the world, resisted strongly by blocking Nato supply route, and fixed a dateline to vacate the Shamsi airbase." "We have seen generals with great reputation, surrendering only on one phone call...but it was the coalition government of PPP, which stood up like a Berlin Wall and said 'no, enough is enough' to US", he added. The house also offered fateha for the martyred army personnel in Nato air attacks at Salalah check posts and adjourned the session till Wednesday.