Mushahid gives credit to parliament, media, judiciary to rid people of fear from strong

Date : March 14, 2013

ISLAMABAD, March 13 (APP): Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Senate Defence Committee observed that the fear of’ strong and powerful’ has gone due to free media, independent Judiciary, vibrant civil society and a dynamic parliament. He said this while talking to the European Union’s Defence attaches headed by Pierre Mayaudon, DHM, European delegation.

Mushahid Hussain Syed said that the Parliament was playing an assertive role keeping in view the emerging realities at national, regional and global level and the Committee is revisiting the Defence paradigm in light of the new realities.A new comprehensive Defence Policy Strategy Document would be prepared after seeking proposals and recommendations from all the stake holders, he said according to a press release.

He said that national security, in view of the changed scenario needed broader definition and informed the delegation about the changed and expended role of the Parliament particularly mentioning the stand taken by the Parliament on Salala incident.

He said that the Parliament took a unanimous decision to redefine terms of engagement with United State and NATO and unanimously approved recommendations in this regard.He remarked that media is playing active role in shaping public opinion and citizen activism is being witnessed resulting in   national cohesion on new issues.Senator Mushahid also underlined the need for more regional cooperation and economic integration to work for the collective benefit of the people of the region.

He said that contours of defence now include climate change, cyber warfare,terrorism,extremism which require comprehensive policies and added that the terrorism was a common enemy and a collective approach is direly needed to get rid of the menace and ensure regional and global peace.

He said that we are facing the fallout of developments in the region and hoped to build a good relationship with regional players since their destiny is intertwined.  

Senator Mushahid Hussain observed that national security is of paramount significance and unanimity of opinion exists among all sheds of thought in this regards.

The defence attaches thanked the Chairman of the Defence Committee for candid briefing and expressed the hope to continue such a fruitful interaction in future to share views on matters of mutual significance.

Source: http://app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=228539&Itemid=2