Pakistan regains self-esteem

Pakistan global image had been boosted as a sovereign nation blessed with self-esteem, following the summoning of US envoy to the Foreign Office (FO) for lodging a strong protest under Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani's instructions, against the Dutta Khel drone attack, which resulted in the loss of many innocent lives.
In unequivocal terms, Islamabad has made it clear to Washington that Pakistan is not a client state and, as such, should not be taken for granted. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir categorically told the US Ambassador Cameron Munter, who was summoned to the FO, in pursuance of the PM's directive, that the Dutta Khel attack was unacceptable, as it constituted a flagrant violation of humanitarian norms and law.
Yet another move, which is far more effective than any other initiative is Pakistan's refusal to take part in the impending tripartite US-Pakistan-Afghanistan meeting that was originally scheduled to be held in Brussels on March 26 next. Now this is not something diplomatic only. It is rather much more than a mere diplomatic move.
Even the message contained in Pakistan's protest is not only strong-worded but also a reflection of the sentiments of the majority of Pakistan's leading lights from all walks of life, the added strength to Pakistan's posture coming from our brave armed forces' response that pledges to defend the countrymen at all costs. Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, has declared the attack as intolerable and unjustified. Even in the matter of the recently released American, Raymond Davis, the government did not show any signs of weakness although the government detractors tried in vain to prove it otherwise.
One fails to understand then why some parties, politicians and pressure groups are resorting to street agitations, protests and rallies when everything has been done under the law without the elements of intimidation- and conspiracy- being involved in this entire process and when the parties, the aggrieved as well as the accused parties, had complete recourse to Islamic laws which form the source of Pakistan's penal and criminal procedure codes and of all other relevant laws?
Even those critics that include a few political figures are unjustified in painting this matter as a PPP-led government's move to malign the judiciary. There seems to be no rationale, whatsoever, in this criticism. The conduct of the government at the Centre has, throughout, been totally transparent and in conformity with the laws in force in the country.
In no way, anyone can criticise the government on this account. The verdict was legal which was implemented by the government as allegiance to law is not only the government's constitutional obligation but also a top priority of the government headed by President Zardari and PM Gilani.