Pakistani Senate To Take Up Shift In Policy On Syria

Islamabad Feb 23, IRNA – Opposition parties in Pakistan seek debate if the government has changed its policy on the Syrian issue. A notice has been submitted in the senate asking Advisor on Foreign Affairs to explain the governmentˈs position on ˈ shift in policy on the civil war in Syria in the wake of the visit last week of foreign dignitary from a Middle Eastern country and its impact on Pakistanˈs national security and relations with other countries in the regionˈ has been submitted in the Senate as it meets on Monday. Through a calling attention notice Pakistan People Party Senator Farhatullah Babar has asked the Advisor on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz to take the House into confidence on this ˈ matter of great public importanceˈ as there seemed a sudden, unexplained and a major departure from the known and stated position of Pakistan on this issue. Farhatullah Babar said that it was significant that after talks between the visiting dignitary and the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the two countries called for ˈthe formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers enabling it to take charge of the affairs of the countryˈ, clearly meaning ˈregime changeˈ in Syria which will have profound implications for Pakistanˈs relations with countries of Middle East particularly Iran. Until now, Islamabad refused to take sides and kept a delicate balance in its ties with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran. That balance seems to have been upset, he said. He said this shift in policy may drag Pakistan into uncharted waters without tangible gains that should best be avoided. He said that the warning by Iranˈs interior minister to send troops into Pakistan to secure the release of kidnapped border guards could be seen as Iranˈs discomfort over the shift in our policy. Asking for regime change in far off countries for internal disturbances can potentially land Pakistan, itself beset with myriad internal problems, in serious trouble, he said adding that the government must explain the correct position./end