In-camera APC to discuss US threats

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has called an All-Parties Conference (APC) on September 29 to discuss serious deterioration in US-Pakistan relations. The in-camera meeting is scheduled to be held at the PM House at 2:00 pm.
The Prime Minister has called this conference to mobilise political leadership, both inside and outside parliament, with the objective of presenting a united stand against the recent spate of scathing and unprecedented public allegations by the US against the ISI complicity with the Haqqani network. The leadership of all political parties, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and other government officials will participate in the Conference.
According to sources, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar are likely to brief the participants on their recent meetings with US officials. DG ISI Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha is expected to brief the conference on issues pertaining to the Haqqani network. The military leadership would also brief the participants about the latest security situation in tribal areas, especially in North Waziristan.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Siddiqul Farooq while confirming participation of his party added that his "party supports all efforts towards regional peace and a free and independent Afghanistan," he said. Media Vice President PTI Rauf Hussan said that his party would hold a debate on a strategy to be supported with respect to the conference while the Amir JI, Munawar Hassan told Business Recorder that his party would consult PTI Chairman Imran Khan before finalising its own strategy.
The JI Amir also said that his party would participate in the conference. Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari welcomed the initiative taken by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to approach political parties and their leaders towards evolving national consensus on security situation in the backdrop of recent developments through an APC.
Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said the President commended the Prime Minister for taking 'a very correct and timely decision' in the larger interest of the country. He said that it was necessary to evolve a national consensus and the Prime Minister's initiative was the need of the hour. The President said that with the spirit of national unity and harmony the courageous and resilient people of Pakistan have surmounted all challenges in the past. They are capable of facing the current challenges with hope, courage and unity and will do so in the future as well, he said.