NATO‑PA annual session concludes

Pakistan warns against premature withdrawal from Afghanistan

 

The 55th Annual Session of NATO‑Parliamentary Assembly concluded in Edinburgh on 17 November. Two resolutions were adopted at the session titled ‘Engaging Pakistan’ and NATO’s Enduring commitment to Afghanistan based on reports discussed earlier.

 

Pakistan was represented by a four member delegation of Senate led by Senator Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari and comprising Senators, Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Abdul Hasib Khan and Muhammad Zahid Khan. Pakistani delegation attended the session as Observer.

 

The Assembly discussed host of issues including Global Financial Crisis, Food and Energy Security, Non-Proliferation & Weapons of Mass Destruction, NATO’s new Strategic Concept and its Open door Policy, Security situation in Afghanistan and Engagement with Pakistan. Two reports directly related to Pakistan namely, ‘Afghanistan: A Turning Point’ by Frank Cook of UK and ‘Pakistan: A Test for Transatlantic Co-operation’ by Mike Ross of United States also came under discussion.

 

Based on these reports, two resolutions titled “Engaging Pakistan” and “NATO’s Enduring Commitment to Afghanistan” were adopted along with the amendments by the Political Committee and Defence and Security Committee of NATO-PA yesterday.

 

Leader of the delegation, Senator Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, on two consecutive days, took the floor and made convincing statements which dispelled the Western misperceptions about Pakistan’s commitment towards ongoing war on terrorism. He drew the world attention towards Kashmir issue as a perpetual source of regional insecurity and instability and urged them to persuade India to commence stalled negotiations on the resolution of this long standing issue. Keeping in view, Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns, the Committee adopted two major amendments in the draft resolutions which were related to insertion of a paragraph urging India and Pakistan to open a dialogue on Kashmir and deletion of a negative reference expressing ambiguity over Pakistan’s stance towards extremists. In its stead, the Committee appreciating Pakistan’s pivotal role decided to acknowledge our increasing efforts to eliminate terrorism.

 

Senator Bokhari had tete- a-tete meetings with NATO-PA President Hon. John Tanner and Air Marshal Christopher N Harper, Deputy Commander NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum. Senator Bokhari in his interactions underscored the need for NATO’s long term commitment in Afghanistan and cautioned that any premature withdrawal of Allied support would risk re-emergence of terrorist networks. He stressed that the international community must fulfil its material and non material pledges and commitments made in relation to Pakistan and Afghanistan and also sought their support in strengthening of democratic process and improvement of governance and institution building. Responding to President Tanner’s question about Madrassahs, Senator highlighted the need for a viable and practical alternative instead of simple closure which would be counterproductive.

 

NATO Secretary General, Mr. Andres Fogh Rasmussen, in his key note speech, at length spoke about necessity of NATO’s long term commitment in the region and urged member nations not to think of otherwise. He stated that, “if we walk away (from Afghanistan) than pressure on nuclear Pakistan would be immense.” Mr. David Miliband, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, UK came up to rally the international community’s support for Pakistan in its fight against terrorism. He applauded the courageous role of the Pakistani government and its armed forces to take the militants head on. He pleaded the world community to be sensitive to the need of common Pakistani regarding employment, health care and education and sought for moral and material support to Pakistani government in meeting the challenge of rehabilitating the displaced people of Swat, Malakand and FATA. Similarly, Lord Robertson, President, Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) categorically stated that this political generation shall not be forgiven if it contemplates to withdraw from Afghanistan prematurely, letting the nuclear armed Pakistan to deal alone with the surmounting Taliban pressure.

 

The conference ended at a positive note with NATO legislators unanimously pledging to persuade their respective governments to pursue a collaborative and cooperative approach to support Pakistan’s efforts to address its socio-economic and developmental challenges. It would enable the Government of Pakistan to fight the menace of terrorism and Al-Qaeda networks in a joint strategy supported by NATO and international community.

 

 

Edinburgh: 17-11-2009

 

Last updated: 20-11-2009