Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. - File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the issue of Nato attack was also referred to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, which comprised the chosen representatives and had complete backing of the people of Pakistan.

The Committee has finalized its recommendations and now the Joint Sitting of the Parliament would debate on the issue and would make a decision, the decision to be made by chosen representatives would be reflective of the aspirations of the masses, he said.

“Gone are the days, when the foreign policy was made by individuals. Now, the policies would be made by the chosen representatives and through the Parliament,” Gilani said.

The Prime Minister said the Parliament would debate on all issues and policies including Kashmir policy, nuclear policy, new terms of engagement with United States (US), the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), adding, these policies would have the backing of 180 million people, as they would know that these policies were finalized by their representatives.

He said the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir would be honored and the government would seek guidance from the Committee on Kashmir policy.

The Prime Minister referred to his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh (in Maldives) and said the two sides agreed to discuss all the core issues including Kashmir.

Regarding the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, Gilani said, it was approved by the Cabinet with a consensus decision, adding, but the MFN was not a special status as generally apprehended, rather it was non-discrimination in trade like with other 100 countries of the world.

The decision was meant to hold trade talks, adding, but the    government would never compromise on national interests.

He also mentioned that the cross LoC (Line of Control) trade between Azad Kashmir and the Indian held Kashmir since 2008 had reached around Rs 15 billion, adding, “but the cross LoC trade does not mean that we will back out from the issue of Kashmir.”

“This is my message for the Kashmiri brethren that we are committed to continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to them,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the Kashmiris had been struggling for their right for the last over 60 years and had rendered lot of sacrifices and embraced martyrdoms, adding, it was for the first time that the Indian Prime Minister while standing with him said that the two sides were ready to discuss all core issues including Kashmir.

“This is the way forward. We have convinced them,” he added.

The Prime Minister assured that Pakistan would use all forums including the OIC, EU, US and others and would be in the forefront to get the Kashmir dispute resolved.