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PCNS not to record Mansoor Ijaz's statement outside Parliament
ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) on Friday not to decided record statement of the US citizen Mansoor Ijaz in connection with Memo issue, outside the Parliament at any cost."It has been the consistent position of the committee that it always avoided to visit abroad on several occasions for such purposes because it is contrary to the parliamentary traditions and norms," Chairman of the Committee, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani told reporters after its meeting held in the Parliament House.
The meetings of the parliamentary committees should be held within premises of the parliament keeping in view that it is the supreme institution of the country, he said adding that whosoever is called to appear should come in the parliament house.
He said the committee also empowered its chairman to keep a vigil on the proceedings of the memo commission and summon the meeting of the committee if any meaningful situation arises.
The committee also decided to request the memo commission, in accordance with the Supreme Court order, to share any substantial evidence which come before it, he added.
The chairman said that secretary, ministry of foreign affairs has informed that Mansoor Ijaz was served the notices issued by the committee through Pakistan missions in Washington, London and Bonn.
However, the secretariat of the committee has so far not received any reply from Mansoor Ijaz in this regard.
About statement of the US Ambassador regarding Nato supply, he said the committee has taken a very serious notice of this statement and directed the secretaries, ministries of foreign affairs and defence to explain it.
Regarding resignation of Senator Prof. Khurshid from membership of the committee, he said that a section of the press has issued a baseless report on this issue. He said the committee has acknowledged service of Prof. Khurshid as he was fully involved when recommendations regarding 'new terms of engagements' were being drafted.
Raza Rabbani said that his dissenting note over the issue of drone attacks is on the record and he is also signatory of all the recommendations. Prof Khurshid resigned following the stance of his party on the Nato supply issue, he added.
He said the committee respects the decision of Prof. Khurshid and added, his resignation has been sent to the Speaker National Assembly for further action.
Members of the Committee including Ishaq Dar, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Abdul Rahim Mandokhel, Afrasiab Khattak and Haider Abbas Rizvi attended the meeting. (APP)
Courtesy www.geo.tv