Regional security dimensions PCNS refuses briefing at GHQ

slamabad—The Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) Tuesday refused to get briefing on the current law and order and state of Pakistan-US relations and post withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan situation from the top strategic institution at GHQ.

PCNS along with two other Senate Standing Committees, namely, Senate Standing Committee on Defence and the Senate Standing Committee on

Foreign Affairs were asked to attend the briefing to be held at the GHQ.

It is pertinent to mention that Defence related Parliamentary Committees were asked to get briefing on post-US withdrawal situation from Afghanistan on October 13 and members of the Senate Committee on Defence had recently visited the headquarters of the three military services.

PCNS met here in-camera with Chairman Raza Rabbani in the chair and was to be briefed in the General Headquarters (GHQ) on the prevailing security situation in the country but it refused to get briefing from the said quarters on the excuse that rules did not allow the committee to take briefing from other organizations.

Committee also observed that it was a part of the Parliament and was superior to the military headquarters so if the GHQ wanted to brief the committee then it should come to parliament.

Well placed sources told Pakistan Observer that, letters were sent to the General Headquarters and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) by the committees seeking a briefing on the security situation, relations with the US and challenges facing the country and it was decided that the committees would be briefed jointly.

While talking to reporters here Raza Rabbani said the committee jointly refused to get briefing in the General Headquarters on the ground that rules did not allow the committee to take briefing from “other organizations”.

He observed that members were unanimous in viewpoint that the committee was a part of the parliament and was superior to the military headquarters so if the GHQ wanted to brief the committee then it should come to Parliament Houses.

He further said that committee would continue to maintain its tradition and agenda of the next meeting is Pak-US relations. He said regulations did not allow the committee to hold meetings outside Parliament House.