ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Khursheed Shah, proposed on Wednesday calling a Joint Session of Parliament after Eid so a 'strong' response can be given to the new US policy for Pakistan. 

The opposition leader termed US President Donald Trump's new policy statement for Pakistan of 'huge significance'. 

He is speaking in the National Assembly during its 45th session. 

He blamed the country's foreign policy 'failure' over the past four years on the government's decision to not have a dedicated separate foreign minister. 

"Our foreign minister should have started today's debate in the assembly," he argued. 

Shah also criticised Pakistan's poor relations with most of its neighbours, saying "our neighbours hurl threats at us".

Basit calls Aizaz Chaudhry 'worst foreign secretary ever' in letter

In the letter, former ambassador Abdul Basit is seen criticising Chaudhry as being the 'worst foreign secretary ever'

The Pakistan Peoples Party's senior leader came down hard on former ambassador Abdul Basit's scathing letter to Pakistan's envoy in US Aizaz Chaudhry. 

"This is a failure of governance," said Shah.

Major narrative overhaul needed to reply to US: Nisar

Former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar in the session said that the issue of US? continued criticism on Pakistan will not stop by mere resolutions and condemnations and needs a major overhaul of the entire narrative towards the US.

Severely criticising the US, Nisar that US? policy in the region has failed miserably, saying that Pakistan is not responsible for its failures.

?US did not ask Pakistan before going to Afghanistan,? he said, adding that US has held talks with the Taliban in the region but ?all hell breaks loose? when Pakistan wants to do the same.

He reiterated that Pakistan should not take the path of confrontation, and bring arguments based on facts and reason.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi address house

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said he has not seen the unity he is witnessing today in the National Assembly. 

The former foreign minister appreciated the government's decision to consult regional allies after Trump's speech, but added that the government should also seek Iran's assistance in the matter. 

Earlier, Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed addressed the assembly. He too criticised Basit's letter, saying it was embarrassing to see news of it in the media.

He said the government should open backdoor diplomacy with the US.