Shah Mehmood Qureshi criticizes the new US Afghan strategy, says drone attacks in Balochistan not acceptable; Admiral Mike Mullen: Pakistan not credited enough for fighting the militants; Gilani: No disagreements between the PPP and the army;
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print

    • Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi lashed out at the new US Afghan strategy stating that extending US drone attacks into Balochistan is not permissible. Qureshi asserted that Pakistan is not in favour of allowing ‘hot pursuit by foreign troops’ on its soil. He was addressing a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs convened to discuss the new US policy on December 22.1 In a related development, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen noted that Pakistan was doing reasonably well in fighting the extremists but does not get ‘enough credit’ for it. Mullen was talking to journalists in Washington on December 20.2

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gilani ruled out that there was any conflict between the PPP and the army. While speaking to media persons in Islamabad on December 24, Gilani noted that the army was carrying out the orders of the civilian government and the relations between the two were ‘cordial.’3 PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif expressed willingness to meet President Zardari for ‘result oriented’ talks on a ‘clear agenda’ reports noted. He further said there was no threat to the democratic set up and his party will continue to support PPP as long as they fulfill their promises on Charter of Democracy (CoD) and the National Reconciliation Order (NRO).4

    In other developments, there were reports which indicate that the criminal proceedings could be started against former president Pervez Musharraf for ‘defiance of law.’ the details of the allegations are said to be contained in the petitions filed against the sacking Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary.5

    The IMF has reportedly approved $ 1.2 billion for Pakistan after reviewing the economic development in the country.6

    Top