In-camera session on Friday to brief parliamentarians; ISI's role praised: accusations absurd, says Prime Minister

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has announced that the military leadership will brief Parliamentarians on the US raid in Abbottabad which resulted in killing of Osama bin Laden at an in-camera joint session of the Parliament on May 13, 2011 (Friday). "We regret that this unilateral action was undertaken without our concurrence.
All stakeholders including the government and Military are on the same page. The leadership of the armed forces will give an in-camera briefing to a joint session of parliament regarding operation to kill Osama bin Laden on May 13. In this regard, we will also hold meeting of Defence Committee of Cabinet on May 11 to discuss the issue. I also have ordered a joint investigation that how Osama was able to live in the garrison city of Abbottabad undetected," the Prime Minister said while addressing the National Assembly on Monday.
According to him, unilateralism runs the inherent risk of serious consequences. "Suppose the operation had gone wrong. A US helicopter was abandoned and destroyed on the site. This is a small though important reminder of the risks in such operations," the prime minister said. "Any attack against Pakistan's strategic assets whether overt or covert will find a matching response. Pakistan reserves the right to retaliate with full force. No one should underestimate the resolve and capability of our nation and armed forces to defend our sacred homeland," he said.
The Prime Minister said that there are of course legal and moral issues that relate to the question of sovereignty. In a generic sense this is a question that continues to vex the international community as a whole, he said. "The Security Council while exhorting UN member states to join their efforts against terrorism has repeatedly emphasised that this be done in accordance with international law, human rights and humanitarian law," he said.
"The drones are given as an instrument to fight terror. Yet, as we have repeatedly said these attacks constitute a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and are counter productive. On this question, which relates to operational matters, we have strong differences with the United States," he said.
"We are delighted that our all-weather friend, the Peoples Republic of China, has made tremendous strides in economic and technological developments that are a source of inspiration and strengthen for the people of Pakistan, he said.
He said that the government's position on the Abbottabad operation and death of Osama bin Laden as enunciated in the official statements was based on extensive inter-agency and inter-departmental consultation process. He said that very often it is the virtual or the media reality that obscures the actual. "Yet, truth cannot for long be submerged into falsehood. Fascination for high drama sometimes makes us forget the sequence and context of fast moving events that are splashed on television screens," he said.
"We are a proud nation. Our people value their honour and dignity. Our nation is resilient. Our real strength is our people and our State institutions. We all are united and fully committed to sparing no sacrifice to uphold our national dignity and honour; to safeguard our supreme national interests by all means and all resources at our command. No other nation has successfully met so many challenges. No other people have been put to so many tests by history and by circumstances of geography and geo-politics. No other nation has borne the collective burden of the international community," he said.
The Prime Minster said that ever since Pakistan's independence, the country stood up for our values, which are also universal: freedom, dignity, equality, tolerance, humanity, harmony and brotherhood. "Pakistan's foreign policy has always reflected our national ethos which, undoubtedly, transcends considerations of narrow interests or politics of expediency. Our democratic and pluralistic polity as epitomised by this August House, State institutions, free press, open and intense public discourse are, indeed, our great strengths," he said.
He said that Pakistan alone cannot be held to account for flawed policies and blunders of others. Pakistan is not the birth place of al Qaeda. We did not invite Osama bin Laden to Pakistan or even to Afghanistan. Is it fair to ask who was Osama bin Laden and what did he personify? "When we say that in this war against terrorism, Pakistan has lost some 30,000 men, women and children and more than 5,000 armed forces personnel, billions of dollars lost as economic costs; we do not intend to put a price or seek acknowledgement or recognition from any one" he said.
The prime minister said that this national consensus was built by our democracy, this Parliament, and the entire political leadership of this country. The Prime Minister said that 248 al Qaeda members were captured by Pakistan's armed forces. "Subsequently, Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence prosecuted the anti-terror strategy with a high degree of professionalism and superb determination. In fact, some 40 of the key al Qaeda operatives including Chief Operation Officer Faraj Al Libbi and Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, the master planner of 9/11, were captured by the ISI. Pakistan's armed forces also carried out successful operations in Swat, Malakand, South Waziristan, Mohmand and Bajour Agencies against terrorists and militants," he said.
He said that no other country in the world and no other security agency have done so much to interdict al Qaeda than the ISI and our armed forces. "This was done with the full support of the nation and in accordance with the political will articulated by the Parliament of Pakistan," he said.
"It is disingenuous for anyone to blame Pakistan or State institutions of Pakistan including the ISI and the armed forces for being in cahoots with the al Qaeda. It was al Qaeda and its affiliates that carried out hundreds of suicide bombings in nearly every town and city of Pakistan and also targeted political leaders, State institutions, the ISI and the General Headquarters," he said.
"It was the ISI that passed key leads to CIA that enabled the US intelligence to use superior technological assets and focus on the area in which Osama bin Laden was eventually found. All this has been explained in the statements issued by the Foreign Ministry and the ISPR as well as in the detailed briefing by the Foreign Ministry," he said.
He said that nonetheless, Pakistan is determined to get to the bottom of how, when and why about OBL's presence in Abbottabad. An investigation has been ordered. "Our people are rightly incensed on the issue of violation of sovereignty as typified by the covert US air and ground assault on the Osama hideout in Abbottabad. This has raised questions about Pakistan's defence capability and the security of our strategic assets."
He said that as the Abbottabad episode illustrates our Military responded to the US Forces covert incursion. The Air Force was ordered to scramble. Ground units arrived at the scene quickly. "The media spin masters have tended to portray a false divide between the state institutions of Pakistan. I would like to most emphatically reject the notion of divide."
He said: "Let me also affirm the Government's full confidence in the high command of the Pakistan Armed Forces and the Inter Services Intelligence. Indeed, the ISI is a national asset and has the full support of the Government. We are proud of its considerable accomplishments in the anti-terror campaign."
The prime minister said apprehensions are being voiced about Pakistan's relations with the United States. "Let me dispel any anxiety in this regard. Pakistan attaches high importance to its relations with the US. We have a strategic partnership which we believe serves our mutual interests. It is based on mutual respect and mutual trust. Our communications at the official and diplomatic levels with the US, during this phase, have been good, productive and straightforward. We have agreed to a calendar of engagements. Most notably Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US have agreed to form a Core Group for promoting and facilitating efforts for reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan."
He said that on May 3, Senior Officials of the Three Countries met in Islamabad and held useful and productive talks. Another Trilateral is envisaged in the near future. He said that on the bilateral track, Pakistan looks forward to the visit of Secretary of State Clinton to Islamabad in the near future.
"With India we are embarked on an important process of engagement that should yield dividends for our two peoples and for peoples of South Asia, as a whole. We will pursue our engagement with India in a positive and constructive manner," he said. He concluded his speech by underscoring the following points:
--- One: Pakistan is confident of its bright future.
--- Two: Our real strength is our people, who are determined to overcome all challenges.
--- Three: We have an ongoing multi-track process of engagement with all major powers including the United States.
--- Four: Our engagement with states within our region is being intensified in the interest of shared stability and prosperity.
--- Five: Counter-Terrorism is a national priority.
--- Six: al Qaeda had declared war on Pakistan. Osama Bin Laden's elimination from the scene attests to the success of the anti-terror campaign.
--- Seven: Intelligence co-operation is critical for the attainment of the goals of anti-terrorism.
--- Eight: Blame games serve no purpose.
--- Nine: An investigation in the matter has been ordered which shall be conducted by Adjutant General of the Pakistan Army Lieutenant General Javed Iqbal.
--- Ten: Our security policies are constantly reviewed to enhance defence capabilities.
--- Eleven: There are no differences among the State institutions.
--- Twelve: Co-operation in counter-terrorism warrants a partnership approach which fully accommodates Pakistan's interests and respect for the clearly stipulated Red Lines.
--- Thirteen: Pakistan's relations with all states especially immediate neighbours and major powers are in good shape.
--- Fourteen: Safeguarding and promotion of our national interest is the sole objective of the government's policies.
--- Fifteen: The Parliament is the right forum to discuss all important national issues. The will of the people shall prevail.