Pak Govt gives in to opposition over foreign policy review

Islamabad, Mar 31(ANI): The Pakistan Government has given in to the opposition to form political consensus on foreign policy reconfiguration.

The Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS), which drafted a 40-point proposal on review of ties with the United States, is now considering a key opposition demand to link the re-opening of NATO supply route with a halt to drone strikes in tribal regions.

"This is our proposal ... it will save us from public anger," The Express Tribune quoted an opposition member, as saying.

Opposition parties have refused to own the parliamentary panel's proposal, objecting to key issues such as resumption of NATO supplies and US drone strikes.

The PCNS meeting took place a day after top political leaders and military brass met in Islamabad where it was agreed that the recommendations would be reviewed.

Officials said the main opposition party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has agreed to most of the PCNS recommendations.

But now it is looking for some kind of 'face-saving' to avoid possible anger from its rightwing vote-bank.

"It appears they are looking for excuses now," a PCNS member said.

It is, however, unclear if the government itself endorses the proposal of re-opening NATO supply routes that were blocked after the deadly NATO air raid in Mohmand Agency on November 26, 2011.

Meanwhile, the US is not willing to call off the drone campaign and officials said two top American commanders made it clear in their meeting with Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. (ANI)