ISLAMABAD: Terming the November 26 NATO/ISAF attack on border posts in Mohmand Agency as "a grave infringement of Pakistan's territorial frontiers," Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday categorically stated that Pakistan, under no circumstances, will allow its sovereignty and territorial integrity to be jeopardized by ill-considered and rash actions.
"These dastardly attacks in the dead of night cannot but be construed as a grave infringement of Pakistan's territorial frontiers by NATO/ISAF and definitely compel us to re-visit our National Security paradigm."
"These attacks also have serious implications for regional peace and security", Gilani said in his opening remarks in a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security held here under the chairmanship of Senator Raza Rabbani to consider the November 26 NATO/ISAF attacks on Pakistani border posts in Mohmand Agency, which caused the loss of precious lives of brave Pakistani soldiers.
Prime Minister Gilani attended the meeting along with Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Interior, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Information and Broadcasting and senior officials of the relevant ministries.
The prime minister briefed the committee about the situation arising from the NATO/ISAF attack and the decisions taken by the Defence Committee of the Cabinet as well as the federal cabinet, which met on November 26 and 29, respectively.
Prime Minister Gilani while speaking about the government's perspective on NATO/ISAF attack said, "first and foremost, our national interests are supreme. All policies, positions and actions should conform to safeguarding and advancing of Pakistan's national interests."
He said the safeguarding of Pakistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity was a sacred national duty, adding, "Under no circumstances can this be compromised - no matter what the costs."
The Prime Minister said, "security and stability and ensuring the prosperity of our people are among our foremost priorities," adding, "regional security and stability and good relations with all neighbours is important."
Gilani said Pakistan, as a responsible member of the international community, attached utmost importance to respect for the principles of the UN Charter, norms of inter-state conduct and international law.
"A stable and peaceful Afghanistan is in Pakistan's national interest," he said and added Pakistan has been impacted severely by the conflict and turmoil in Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister said, "besides the huge caseload of Afghan refugees, which runs into millions, we have been directly impacted by militancy and terrorism."
"Terrorism has cost thousands of lives of our innocent citizens and security and armed forces personnel. The economic costs have been astounding," he added.
The Prime Minister said, "Countering terrorism is a national priority and the whole nation is determined to eliminate this menace from our society and the region."
"Elimination of the menace of terrorism requires a comprehensive approach, as signified by our 3-Ds (Dialogue, Development and Deterrence)," he added.
Gilani said, "Our security and counter-terrorism policy needs to be pursued in a manner that suits Pakistan's national interests. The only effective way forward is to have complete unity in our ranks and total support of the people of Pakistan."
He, however, noted with regret that "our willingness to cooperate with the international community on counter-terrorism has not been understood in its proper perspective."
"The notion to give Pakistan a "to do" list and the mantra of "do more" have caused immense resentment," he added.
The Prime Minister said in recent months, there has been a tendency to project Pakistan not as a "partner" but as the "problem".
"Our enormous sacrifices and contribution in the campaign against militancy and terror have not been adequately acknowledged. What is worse is the tendency to make Pakistan into a scapegoat for failings of international policies in Afghanistan," he added.
The Prime Minister said while Pakistan continued to protest against the drone attacks, which are clearly illegal and counter- productive, "we have also been subjected to numerous cross-border attacks by militants from sanctuaries and safe havens in Afghanistan."
"Our efforts to improve our relations with Afghanistan and support for Afghan-led and Afghan-owned efforts for reconciliation and peace have been misconstrued and actively subverted by certain quarters," he said and added, "Clearly, there is a limit to our patience. Cooperation cannot be a one-way street."
Gilani said, under these most challenging and difficult circumstances, Pakistan has maintained a principled approach and exercised utmost restraint.
"However, it would be a grave miscalculation for any one to believe that stability and peace in Afghanistan can be restored or maintained by destabilizing Pakistan," he added.
The Prime Minister made it clear that "Under no circumstances, will we allow Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity to be jeopardized by ill-considered and rash actions such as the attacks on our territory by NATO/ISAF."
"Our patriotic people and valiant Armed Forces will spare no sacrifice in the defence of their motherland. Instructions have been issued to all units of the Pakistan Armed Forces to respond, with full force, to any act of aggression and infringement of Pakistan's territorial frontiers," he added.
The Prime Minister said, "the need of the hour is total unity."
"Our Nation, as a whole, and all State institutions are fully united and determined in their resolve to uphold national dignity and honour and to frustrate and defeat any nefarious designs against Pakistan," he added.
The Prime Minister also availed the opportunity to underscore that, "Pakistan, as a responsible State, is ready to make its indispensable contribution to regional peace and security, in particular to support an inclusive process of national reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan."
"We have repeatedly stated that stability and peace in Afghanistan is in Pakistan's national interest. We have participated and supported initiatives for peace in Afghanistan and the concept of regional economic cooperation," he added.
The Prime Minister further said, "We believe that the way forward is to make honest efforts to get clarity and develop coherence, especially among Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States for instituting a credible process for a durable political settlement that guarantees the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and respect for the principles of non-intervention and non-interference."
"Our continued cooperation in this regard can only be premised on a partnership approach that is consistent with Pakistan's national interests and scrupulous respect for Pakistan's sovereignty, independence and absolutely zero tolerance for any transgression against Pakistan's state frontiers," he added.
The Prime Minister said, "Pakistan does not seek aid or economic assistance from the United States. What we seek, in fact demand, is respect for our sovereignty and territorial integrity; a firm and categorical commitment on "inviolability" of Pakistan's borders and on non-recurrence of such incidents."
"The terms of our engagement with the United States and NATO/ISAF have to be re-visited on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual interest and mutual respect", he added.
Gilani spoke at length on the issues of national security, war on terror, the situation in Afghanistan vis a vis Pakistan's cooperation in the regional and international context.
The Prime Minister also mentioned Pakistan's contribution and sacrifices in the war against terrorism as well as the importance of peace and stability in Pakistan to ensure peace in the region.
Gilani, however, made it clear: "It would be a grave miscalculation for any one to believe that stability and peace in Afghanistan can be restored or maintained by destabilizing Pakistan."
"Under no circumstances, will we allow Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity to be jeopardized by ill-considered and rash actions such as the attacks on our territory by NATO/ISAF," he added.
The Prime Minister said, "Our patriotic people and valiant armed forces will spare no sacrifice in the defence of their motherland," adding, "Instructions have been issued to all units of the Pakistan armed forces to respond, with full force, to any act of aggression and infringement of Pakistan's territorial frontiers."
"The terms of our engagement with the United States and NATO/ISAF have to be re-visited on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual interest and mutual respect," Gilani said and asked the Parliamentary Committee to give recommendations in this regard.
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