Islamabad, September 23; While Pak-US relations face a deepening conflict after the September 13 attack on US embassy and NATO headquarters in Kabul and most scathing criticism and serious charges are levelled on Pakistan in a mounting chorus from US institutions - from Pentagon to CIA to US Congress and Congressional Committees - Pakistan�s Parliament and a number of its committee charged with the responsibility to oversee National Security, Foreign Affairs and Defence, seem to be indifferent.

As elected public representatives, it is the 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-�-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 after the September 13 Kabul incident with US Defence Secretary Leon E. Panetta, and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen testifying before the former. The Senate Appropriations Committee reportedly passed a bill making �all� US financial assistance to Pakistan privy to conditions of cooperation against the Hqqani network and other terror groups associated with 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:

1. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by the leader of ANP, Mr. Asfandyar Wali Khan, MNA, last met on June 06, 2011 just to undergo a call-on by the British Ambassador to Afghanistan. It is important to note that since its formation in 2008, the Committee has only met 17 times in 3 � years, out of which the Chairman himself was not available to chair 10 meetings
2. 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 held 11 meetings
3. The Parliamentary Committee on National Security, chaired by Senator Raza Rabbani held its last meeting on August 18, 2011. Since its formation in November 2008, the Committee met 35 times, with all meetings held in-camera
4. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence, chaired by Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, MNA, last met as a full committee on June 29, 2011 to discuss PNS Mehran attack, a month after the attack. The Committee only met 27 times since its delayed formation in February 2009 after 2008 General Election
5. The Senate Standing Committee on Defence & Defence Production, chaired by Senator Javed Ashraf, held its last meeting on August 01, 2011 on a matter relating to PIA. It held 26 meetings, 13 meetings on average per year, since its formation in July 2009

PILDAT demands that these committees meet immediately and start discussing the options of Pakistan. The committees should seek relevant expertise from across Pakistan. Parliament needs to take a lead on deciding Pakistan�s policy choices.