Media and Parliament first line of defence for national security, says Mushahid

Date : June 18, 2012

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production has observed that the media and the Parliament are the first line of defence in protecting and promoting the national security interests of the country. He expressed these views while talking to the Defence Reporters’ Forum (DRF) at Parliament House. He said that media is playing a very positive and proactive role in promoting accountability and transparency and it has to play a meaningful role in national defence also. Mr. Amjed Pervez Special Secretary Senate/ Secretary of the Senate Standing Committee on the Defence and Defece Production was also present on the occasion.
 
Talking about the activities of the committee, Senator Mushahid Hussain said that they were the first to visit the families of the martyrs of the Gayari Sector and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families. He said the website of the committee would be launched soon and the first report of the Defence Committee would be presented in the Senate next month. Senator Mushahid Hussain further said that the Defence Committee would act as a bridge between Khaki and Mufti, adding that civil military harmony is the need of the time. He appreciated the cooperation extended by ISPR during their visit to Gayari Sector victims.
 
He said that the committee would also seek to inject innovative and strategic thinking on defence issues. He further said that we need to focus on non-military threats like Cyber Warfare, water issue, energy, anti-Pakistan propaganda and climate change etc. Senator Mushahid apprised the Defence Reporters Forum (DRF) about the two track work plan approved by the Defence Committee in its meeting on 13th June, 2012, combining official briefings with public hearings. Public hearings would invite expert opinion of the prominent defence professionals, scholars and experts. The committee would also get briefings from the ministries of Defence and Defence Production besides visiting Service headquarters to have interaction with the services chiefs and then crystallizing all the information in the form of Defence Policy Strategy document.
 
During the interaction with Defence Reporters Forum, Senator Mushahid also answered questions on defence policy, Afghanistan, NATO Supply lines and issues related to civil military ties. He said that Defence Reporting workshops and briefings would also be arranged for media on a regular basis.
 
He hoped that media would continue to play a positive role in promoting Pakistan’s national objectives in the changing regional and global scenario. He said that the regional situation requires us to reassess our needs and chalk out a practical strategy to play a decisive role in the region.