Summary Senate body on Foreign Affairs approved unanimous resolution condemning terrorism in China.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - A meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs headed by Senator Haji Adeel held here on Monday.
During the debate regarding verification of foreign agreement by the Parliament, Secretary Law Barrister Zafarullah said that the Cabinet instead of Parliament should be authorized to verify agreements with other countries. He said that the cabinet approves international agreements in several countries including Britain.
Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry told the committee that Pakistan is negotiating return of illegal Pakistanis with Saudi authorities. He said Pakistani missions in Saudi Arabia have so far issued 3‚448 emergency passports to illegal Pakistanis. Aizaz said that establishment of new consular service would be started soon in Jeddah.
Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told the committee that food and other facilities were being provided in the deputation centre in Saudi Arabia. He said that the foreign missions have further improved working for the welfare of Pakistani community in different countries including Saudi Arabia, England, Dubai and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Sartaj Azid said that in-camera briefing regarding would be given regarding visits of CIA chief Saudi Crown Prince and issue of tension on borders. He told the committee that Saudi Arabia gave aid to Pakistan without any conditions.
The PM’s advisor said neither Pakistan took U-turn on the issue of Syria nor it was sending troops or arms there.
He said Pakistan has to mention balance regarding relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran. Sartaj Aziz said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would soon visit Iran.
Talking to media after the meeting, PML-Q leader Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed said that Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told the committee that Saudi Arabia’s $ 1.5 billion aid to Pakistan was not a loan but a gift. He said Sartaj
Aziz told the committee that Saudi delegation had visited Pakistan to discuss the enhancement of bilateral cooperation in various sectors including economy, defence and trade.
He said the committee expressed its concerns over the issue of interim set-up in Syria demanded by Saudi Arabia while the joint declaration was announced at the end of the visit of Saudi delegation.
Mushahid Hussain said that the committee adopted a unanimous resolution condemning terrorist incident in China and directed the Foreign Office to ensure the neighbouring country that Pakistan’s territory was not used during this terrorist act.
Talking to newsmen Senator Sughra Imam said that former president Pervez Musharraf pushed Pakistan into foreign country’s war after receiving $ 120 from the United States. She feared that $ 1.5 Saudi aid could trap the country into another foreign war.
