News
Saturday, May 07, 2011
US shouldn’t have bypassed Pakistan* Prime minister says violation of sovereignty is a matter of concern for Pakistan
* US president has acknowledged Pakistan’s contribution in war against terrorism despite many ups and downs in relations
* French leadership’s misunderstandings have been removed
* It will take some time for Pak-US relations to return to normalcy
ONBOARD PM’S SPECIAL AIRCRAFT: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Friday that keeping in view the longstanding relations, the United States should not have violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Reacting to the military operation conducted deep inside the country’s territory by a US team of Navy Seals, the prime minister said that the issue of violation of its sovereignty was a matter of concern for Pakistan. He said that it was particularly so, in view of the cooperation with the United States in the fields of intelligence and defence.
“Pakistan’s sovereignty should not have been violated. There was no need to a shortcut or to bypass Pakistan,” remarked Gilani during his informal chat with the journalists who were in his entourage for a three-day visit to France.
He said although the relations with the United States had seen many ups and downs in the past, US President Barack Obama had acknowledged Pakistan’s contribution in the war on terror and ongoing intelligence-sharing between the two countries.
Gilani said that during his visit he had an opportunity to present Pakistan’s point of view and inform the French leadership about many things. “There were many misunderstandings and I hope these have been removed,” he added.
The prime minister said he informed French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Francois Fillon about Pakistan’s valuable contribution in the war against terror and its role in the arrest of 248 terrorists. He said he also apprised them about the sacrifices rendered by the nation in the fight against the menace of terrorism. He said he told them that al Qaeda leaders like Libbi and Khalid Shaikh Mohammad had been arrested by Pakistani law enforcement agencies.
The prime minister, while speaking about the Raymond Davis issue and Osama Bin Laden incident, said it would take some time for the relations between the two countries (US and Pakistan) to return to normalcy. Gilani dismissed the assumption that he had to cut short his visit due to the situation back home in the backdrop of the killing of Bin Laden in Abbottabad, and said, “My official engagements had ended tonight and I decided to return home.”
Asked about the difference of opinion between various government quarters regarding the US military operation, the premier said he would give a policy statement in the Senate or the Minister of Information would do so in this respect.
Gilani, when questioned about the recent alliance of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) with the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), replied that the alliance with the PML-Q was not against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) or its chief Nawaz Sharif.
“We shall not destabilise the Punjab government and let it complete its term,” the premier said in reply to another question.
The prime minister had started a chat with the reporters in the aircraft when it developed a problem with its autopilot system. However, soon after the taking over of the manual controls by the pilots, Gilani resumed his interaction with the journalists. He remained confident and strong despite the heavy jolts of the aircraft. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk