Secretary Information Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Chaudhry Ahsan
Iqbal expressed astonishment over allegation of President Zardari’s
spokesman Senator Babar Awan who alleged that PML-N was advocating cut
in the defence budget.
He said, “It is quite amusing that Babar Awan who was until recently
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs isn’t aware of parliamentary
practices. Cut motion during budget debate is an instrument for
discussing policies and performance of ministries through proposing a
token Rs. 1cut”.
He said that the PML-N demands greater transparency in the defence
budget because the nation sacrifices many critical priorities for
financing the defence budget. At the moment Rs 1,000 billion is going
towards debt servicing and retirement and Rs 800 billion on security
related expenditure, which consumes full tax collection money.
He said that the cost of running federal government and development
budget would have to be met out of borrowing. This position is not
healthy by any means therefore it is essential that for every rupee
spent in public sector whether in civil or military, there should be
absolute transparency and accountability to ensure greater value for
money.
Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan faces extraordinary security
situation and to meet these challenges necessary resources have to be
provided but we can’t afford huge military budgets without having a
coherent national security strategy, which also includes economic,
social, political, and diplomatic dimensions. PMLN respects national
security institutions and wants to see them equipped with professional
excellence and limited to the role outlined in our constitution.
He said that jawans and officers committed to safeguarding the
sovereignty of the country are our pride. Politicization of security
institutions in the past hurt both military and country badly and
adversely impacted its morale. It is unfortunate that PPP has assumed
the role of Q League of trying to appease military with more loyal than
the king approach.
Meanwhile Ahsan Iqbal further said, ” The statement of General
(retd) Pervez Musharaf that Nawaz Sharif sold Kashmir in Lahore
declaration is a joke as anyone can download Lahore declaration text
and read for himself that Kashmir issue was recognized as core
outstanding issue to be resolved through dialogue.
He said Musharaf’s misadventure in Kargil hurt Kashmir adversely by
swaying world opinion towards Indian side over Kashmir and General
Musharaf was responsible for destroying the goodwill that existed for
indigenous Kashmiri movement with Kargil intervention. His Islamabad
declaration was a disgrace for Pakistan.
Ahsan Iqbal said Musharraf is a fugitive and instead of making
statements from abroad, he must return to country and appear before the
courts to face charges for the crimes he committed against his people. SANA
