The caretaker Cabinet has been sounded that the United States and European Union (EU) might cut defence aid to Pakistan if clear timeline was not given to lift emergency, official sources told Business Recorder.
"In case a timeline is not given for lifting emergency, the US and EU can cut defence and economic aid," sources quoted Secretary Foreign Affairs Riaz Ahmad Khan briefing the Cabinet a couple of days ago. "We have made all-out efforts to satisfy the members of Commonwealth Organisation but they rejected all arguments in favour of emergency," sources quoted Foreign Minister Inamul Haque as informing the Cabinet.
The Cabinet was informed that the first and paramount issue, which the government would confront, was the threat of suspension of membership of Commonwealth Organisation.
Sources said that the Commonwealth Organisation had given November 22 as deadline to the government to meet its five major demands, which are: immediate lifting of emergency; restoration of constitution and judiciary; taking off uniform and stepping down as Army Chief by the President; immediate release of all detainees including lawyers, human rights activists and other civil society members; removal of restrictions on media; and holding of free, fair and transparent elections.
"If the government fulfils the demands of Commonwealth before the deadline the suspension can be avoided," sources quoted caretaker Foreign Minister as suggesting to the Cabinet.
While discussing the situation after emergency, the Cabinet suggested two courses of actions ie the Foreign Minister should contact each member country of the Commonwealth through ambassadors in Pakistan and clarify government's position.
The Cabinet was apprised that Foreign Office was already in contact with the ambassadors of United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Malaysia and Sri Lanka and positive response from them is expected, and this process would make the government able to obtain some time to meet the demands of Commonwealth Organisation.
The second option, which the Cabinet also discussed, was that instead of participating in the ministerial committee meeting, Pakistan should send a technical level delegation to mark its presence in the meeting, sources said.
They said that the Cabinet was asked to be prepared for the reaction and backlash from the political parties in case decision was taken against Pakistan, and the government should be in a position to pacify these elements.
On a query regarding different implications of suspension of Pakistan's membership, the Cabinet was informed that there was no material and substantial disadvantage to Pakistan, except damaging to its image.
"There will be no effect on military, economic assistance, foreign investment as US and West cannot impose sanctions on Pakistan," sources added. They said that the caretaker Prime Minister, Muhammedmian Soomro, who was presiding over the meeting, asked as to who were supporting and who were against Pakistan in the Commonwealth forum.
He was informed that Sri Lanka was standing by Pakistan while Malta, Tanzania and to some extent Malaysia were not supporting Pakistan. Sources said that the Cabinet evolved consensus on the lines that the government should take strong stance in the Commonwealth ministerial meeting that Pakistan is an independent and sovereign country, and no interference in its internal affairs would be acceptable.
In this regard, a suggestion was also made that a few strong delegations should be dispatched to the members of Commonwealth for pleading their point of view on imposition of emergency.
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