Khursheed Shah for joint sitting of the Parliament on US President's policy statement

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah Wednesday called for summoning joint sitting of the parliament to give a clear and strong message in response to US President's Afghan-South Asia Policy statement.

Speaking on a motion that the house may discuss the situation arising out of President Donald Trump's statement regarding US Policy in Afghanistan, he said we should join hands to bring a strong joint resolution of the combine house based on the aspiration of over 200 million Pakistani people.

"We should formulate our foreign policy keeping in view the interests of over 200 million people," he asserted.       Khursheed Shah said the current situation should be dealt prudently rather than getting emotional.

He recalled how during PPP regime, two in-camera sessions were convened in 2008 and 2011 to devise a concrete strategy to face the challenges confronted to the country.

He said, "We should decide and adjust ourselves keeping in view our strategic position as it is a political war."

He said that US remained our historical partner since long and we should think why now she was pondering to impose sanctions on us.    He said his party was criticized for demanding a full time foreign minister.

He also stressed the need for using diplomatic channels to cope with the emerging situation. He also criticized the government for not utilizing diplomatic corps during the last four years for effective diplomacy.

He said during 1965 war, whole Muslim Ummah stood with Pakistan and provided full support in the hour of odd but now the situation has been changed.