Government's initial silence over the matter wasn't an apt response, said Sherry Rehman while speaking to Geo News. Photo: file

 

ISLAMABAD: Senator Sherry Rehman said on Thursday that the government?s response to US President Trump?s statement has been unsatisfactory.

?There was no proper response. We need to give a strong message to instil courage and hope among the people,? she remarked while speaking to Geo.tv

The government?s initial silence over the matter wasn?t an apt response, she said, adding that other political parties and parliament members should have been involved earlier on to form a consolidated reply.

This is necessary for the country?s benefit. ?The country can?t be run on an autopilot or snooze mode,? she pointed out.

?They want to speak about their own selves but not about the country. How is this fair??

She further said that other countries such as China, Russia and Saudi Arabia immediately responded to the statements.

?It is important to note how Chinese government condemned the statement before our government. The Chinese official also contacted US government to hatch up a solution for the situation.Russia has also condemned the statements.?

?You need to align your geostrategic interests and then work towards them,? she added.

Proposing a solution, she said that a parliament session should be called so that everyone is briefed regarding our foreign policy. ?Only then can we set a course for future policy.?

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We must use the parliament [as a forum] to raise our voices. The government should realise that power lies in numbers. ?When you have power, then everyone notices you. The people will take note that this is the voice of not just one person but an entire nation,? she added.

Early Tuesday morning, US President Donald Trump cleared the way for the deployment of thousands more US troops to Afghanistan Monday, backtracking from his promise to rapidly end America's longest war, while pillorying ally Pakistan for offering safe haven to "agents of chaos."

"Our commitment is not limited [and] our support is not a blank cheque," he clarified, indicating that Pakistan should take a stronger line against possible terrorist elements taking refuge in the country.