In-camera session

The in-camera session should provide the parliamentarians all the necessary inside information required to understand the issue in its entirety, so that they are able to respond to it in a way which is neither one-sided nor subjective. Despite promises to respect Pakistan's sovereignty, there is curiously no respite from attacks by the US drones inside the two Waziristan agencies, while violation of Pakistan's airspace continues both in the tribal areas and Balochistan. On Sunday, an unmanned US plane crashed in Kharan. The government needs to clarify if these violations have Islamabad's permission, as has been reportedly told by President Zardari to a US newspaper. The President, PM and Foreign Minister have met Mr Bush and key US functionaries. Parliament should be told what Washington precisely wants Islamabad to do and what commitments, if any, were made by the Pakistani leadership.

There is a growing perception that War On Terror which was initially America's war has now overtaken Pakistan. Whether one likes it or not, one has to cope with the reality. What needs to be done by the government is to formulate a policy in the light of the discussion inside Parliament. The country is likely to be made more vulnerable if it continues to follow US dictates. While those committing acts of terrorism in Pakistan should be dealt with an iron hand, a clear message has to go from Parliament, calling on the US and NATO forces to keep their hands off Pakistan.