Not much is expected from the Parliament since most MPs have their familes in the west.
http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\09\24\story_24-9-2011_pg7_14
Parliament seems indifferent to US pressure: PILDAT
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: While Pak-US relations face a deepening conflict after the September 13 attack on the US embassy and NATO headquarters in Kabul, scathing criticism and serious charges have been levelled on Pakistan in a mounting chorus from US institutions – from Pentagon to the Central Investigation Agency (CIA) to US Congress and Congressional Committees – parliament and a number of its committees charged with the responsibility to oversee national security, foreign affairs and defence, seem to be indifferent.
As elected public representatives, it is parliament’s responsibility to oversee the country’s foreign and security policies. However, in keeping with its poor tradition of playing no role in a crisis or in influencing a policy, parliament and its committees seem the most unaffected by the challenges Pakistan faces, especially vis-à-vis the disquiet and mounting pressure in Pak-US relations.
On the other hand, committees in the US Congress, especially the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee, have met since the September 13 Kabul incident with US Defence Secretary Leon E Panetta, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen testifying before the former. The Senate Appropriations Committee reportedly passed a bill making ‘all’ US financial assistance to Pakistan conditional to cooperation against the Haqqani network and other terror groups associated with the al Qaeda.
A look at the dismal performance of the parliamentary committees charged with the responsibility to oversee Pakistan’s national security and defence policies reveals that these committees have failed to even examine the serious issues confronting Pakistan, let alone offer policy advice on behalf of the people of Pakistan. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Awami National Party (ANP) leader, MNA Asfandyar Wali Khan, last met on June 6 just to undergo a call-on by the British ambassador to Afghanistan. Since its formation in 2008, the committee has only met 17 times in three and a half years, out of which the chairman himself was not available to chair 10 of the meetings. The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Salim Saifullah, has not yet met after the current crisis and since its formation in May 2010 has held only 11 meetings.
The Parliamentary Committee on National Security, chaired by Senator Raza Rabbani held its last meeting on August 18. Since its formation in November 2008, the committee has met 35 times, with all meetings held in-camera. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence, chaired by MNA Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, last met as a full committee on June 29 to discuss the attack on the PNS Mehran, a month after the attack. The committee only met 27 times since its delayed formation in February 2009 after the 2008 general election.
The Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production, chaired by Senator Javed Ashraf, held its last meeting on August 1 on a matter relating to the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). It has held 26 meetings in all since its formation in July 2009.
The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) demanded that these committees meet immediately and start discussing the options Pakistan has. The committees should seek relevant expertise from across Pakistan and parliament needs to take a lead on deciding the country’s policy choices.