They said a separate session of the two houses of parliament would be summoned after March 17. The parliament would vote on the recommendations after finalisation of debate by the PCNS in the wake of last year's Nato air-strike on Salala border post, killing two dozens Pakistani soldiers.
According to sources, the unsettled key issues such as terms for reopening of Nato supply route, drone strikes and the red lines that the US would be required to recognise, were the chief reasons behind the delay in the parliamentary process. These issues appeared to have been resolved. However, parliamentary sources believed that a joint-sitting for the approval of the PCNS proposals could not be summoned due to the engagements of government in the passage of 20th constitutional amendment, Senate elections and the presidential address to the joint-sitting of the parliament.
According to sources, parliament has passed 20th Constitutional Amendment, the Senate elections are over and the President is now scheduled to address the joint-sitting on March 17. The government, therefore, has no other reason to further delay its decision on the new terms of engagement. They said on joint-session for a debate and the passage of new terms of engagements was most likely to be summoned on March 19.
When asked for comments, US Embassy spokesman Mark Stroh said that the United States valued its relationship with Pakistan, adding, "we wish to continue to improve the ties between the two countries". "We respect the thorough, serious policy review by the parliamentary committee on national security currently underway," he said, adding that "we recognise the importance of this review to the government and people of Pakistan and awaiting final results." "We look forward to engaging Pakistan on the results of the review upon its completion and hope this engagement brings a new focus and a new clarity to our enduring relationship," he said.