Speakers at the PINA seminar on 'Abbottabad Operation and Challenges to National Security' held in Lahore, strongly condemned the US aggression and impressed on the saner elements in Obama Administration to respect Pakistan's sovereignty and desist from any such action that may further damage Pak-US relations.
The seminar called for an independent inquiry into the intelligence and Air Defence lapses, the 7,000 visa scam leading to huge CIA penetration into Pakistan, lack of coordination amongst state institutions and poor performance of the political leadership in this hour of national crisis. The participants urged the nation to foil all US attempts to create misunderstanding between the civilians and the armed forces/intelligence system.
They hoped that the anger and frustration of the people would subside when those at the helm of affairs quit at their conscience call. It was resolved that Parliament should effectively oversee national security, regulate the institutions of Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC), Defense Council and the functioning of the national intelligence setups.
The participants demanded formulation of a National Security Policy/Strategy to meet the security related challenges, dismantling of CIA covert network in Pakistan and keeping American military presence in Pakistan to minimum. It was agreed that the parameters of Pak-US relations be redefined to protect our national interests.
The seminar was presided by eminent lawyer and former Defense Minister Shahid Hamid and addressed by legislators, defense analysts, national security experts, columnists, intellectuals and members of civil society. Shahid Hamid said that the nation was in a state of shock and distress. Hence concrete steps be taken to alleviate their concerns about Indian threat of surgical operation and security of strategic installations.
He emphasised that their media should protect the state institutions despite their failures and instead highlight the shortcomings and double standards of the Americans. He suggested that the visas granted to CIA/Foreign Security Contractors should not be extended and except for essential Americans, all others be asked to leave the country. Senator S.M. Zafar said that the nation should strongly condemn the naked US invasion and they should not fall prey to US designs to create disharmony in civil-military relations. -PR
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