News
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Allies must respect Pakistan’s sovereignty: federal cabinet
* US told parliament’s resolution should be respected at all costs and violation of its spirit will not be allowed
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s sovereignty is the top priority of the elected government and the allies must respect its mandate, said Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdaus Ashiq Awan while briefing reporters on the federal cabinet’s meeting on Friday.
She said the federal cabinet was informed that Pakistani leadership had clearly communicated to visiting United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Michael Mullen that its parliament’s resolution should be respected at all costs and that violation of its spirit would not be allowed.
In his opening statement while chairing the cabinet’s meeting, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that the challenges confronting the country today required greater unity among the people and leaders across the political divide. He held that despondency should not be allowed to take hold on the minds of the people. “I am sure that together we will overcome the challenges we face today,” said Gilani, adding that with this kind of determination, no force could ever demoralise the people in defending their homeland.
The premier reiterated the resolve to foil the nefarious designs of terrorists and their collaborators, and paid rich tribute, on behalf of the cabinet, to those who sacrificed their lives in the terrorist attack on Pakistan Navy’s airbase PNS Mehran. “As a nation, we are proud of the courage and valour with which the security agencies’ personnel defended the strategic naval installations,” he added.
Gilani told the cabinet that the specially convened meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) decided for coordinated efforts to prevent and pre-empt acts of terrorism. He stated that the defence and law enforcement agencies had been directed to use all necessary means to eliminate terrorists.
Briefing the cabinet on his recent visit to China, Gilani said the Chinese leadership had reiterated its undiluted, unequivocal and principled support to Pakistan’s stance and strategy in the fight against terrorism. He further said the Chinese vice premier and state counselor for foreign affairs had, during a dialogue in Washington, urged the US to respect Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, recognise its sacrifices in the war against terror, help it fight against terrorism and give it complete support. Talks in the fields of defence, trade and energy were held during Gilani’s visit to China.
Before the start of formal proceedings of the cabinet meeting, fateha was offered for late Hakim Ali Zardari. The meeting also prayed for those martyred in the attacks in Karachi, Peshawar and Hangu. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk