Only parliament has mandate to frame foreign policy, says Achakzai
QUETTA: Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai said only parliament had the mandate to frame foreign policy and termed supremacy of parliament "integral for strengthening democracy" in the country.
Addressing a public meeting organised by PkMAP on Wednesday, Achakzai said foreign policy must be framed "as per the aspirations of masses" and the provincial governments should also be taken into confidence in this regard.
The gathering was organised in connection with the 42nd death anniversary of Khan Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai at the Sadiq Shaheed Ground in Quetta.
"Foreign policy by only three or four individuals is not acceptable," Achakzai told flag-waving party supporters.
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Referring to the dangers of global war, he cautioned political and religious leadership to "remain neutral" to protect the country.
"Religious leadership must avoid becoming party to any conflict," he said, demanding that religious leaders from Pakistan and Afghanistan be impartial in prevailing situation.
"The region is under the grasp of civil war and bloodshed for more than four decades now," Achakzai said, referring to the war in Afghanistan and its impacts on Pakistan.
The veteran Pakhtun nationalist leader said Pakistan did not have to be part of any war after the withdrawal of USSR from Afghanistan.
"Enough is enough. Now is the time for peace and development," he said, adding that war has only inflicted harm to people living in the region.
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Mahmood Achakzai underlined the need to resume the dialogue process between both countries to bring an end to unrest and ensure peace in the region.
He stressed that Pakistan and Afghanistan "must end the blame game" and restore mutual trust to initiate dialogue.
Referring to the influx of refugees in the country, the PkMAP chairman said Afghan refugees had come to Pakistan under UN agreement as a result of civil war in Afghanistan.
"There should be no discrimination against Afghans living here," he said, lashing out at law enforcement agencies for "unnecessarily arresting" Afghan refugees.
Regarding China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Achakzai said the success of the mega project was "linked with peace" and that development could only be ensured through peace in the province.
He demanded the federal government to "address the grievances" of the Baloch people with regard to CPEC.
The public meeting was attended by party leaders including Senator Kakar, former Senator Rauf Lala and others, who paid rich tribute to Khan Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai.