In a policy statement in National Assembly on Thursday on the situation arising out of Nato attacks at Pakistan army check posts at Salala in Mohmand Agency on November 26, he said in the past Pakistan extended every cooperation to the members of the international community in the counter terrorism domain.
He however, pointed out that Pakistan's cooperation has certain well defined red-lines including sovereign, equality and mutual respect, no unilateral action inside Pakistan and no transgression of its territorial frontiers.
The Prime Minister said as a responsible state, Pakistan will continue to uphold and promote the cause of regional peace and stability.
"However, in doing so we shall ensure that our legitimate interests are not only recognized but fully accommodated, " he said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that these fundamental points of principle need to be understood by the international partners.
He reiterated that Pakistan as a peace loving country remains committed to regional peace and stability particularly in Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister said as a country which suffered from terrorism, elimination of terrorism and militancy remains high priority for the people and government of Pakistan.
He said Pakistan in all earnest extended hand of friendship to the people and government of Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister said as an immediate neighbour and sincere well wisher, people of Pakistan remained committed to promote the best of relations with Afghanistan in all spheres.
He expressed satisfaction that the entire nation is united to uphold Pakistan's national dignity and honour and to safeguard the country's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
The Prime Minister said the government is awaiting recommendations from the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and the future course of action will be decided by the parliament.
He made it clear that the terms of cooperation will ensure sovereign equality and mutual respect of the country.
He said no unilateral actions inside Pakistan or against Pakistan and transgression of territorial frontiers would be acceptable.
Taking the Parliament into confidence on the government's position concerning the November 26 NATO attacks on Pakistan Army border posts in the Mohmand Agency the Prime Minister said people of Pakistan are the sole guarantor of the supreme national interest of the state.
The Prime Minister said the situation arising from the 26 November attacks has direct implications for Pakistan's security, sovereignty and territorial integrity therefore, requires careful consideration by the Parliament.
Giving details of the November 26 incident, he said, in the early hours of that day, in fact just past the midnight, two Pakistan Army posts in Mohmand Agency were subjected to air attacks by the US/NATO/ISAF. These positions were well inside Pakistani territory, he added.
The Prime Minister said hostile actions against these border posts continued for over an hour. The coordinates of these border posts were known to US/NATO/ISAF, he added.
Gilani said, he decided to immediately call an emergency meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet the same evening and directed the Foreign Ministry to lodge strong protests with the United States, NATO Headquarters at Brussels and with the Afghan government.
The Prime Minister said the Government of Pakistan strongly condemned these attacks, which were violative of the principles of the UN Charter and international law.
"We also conveyed to the United States and NATO that these attacks were totally unacceptable and constituted a flagrant breach of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he informed the National Assembly.
The Prime Minister said the Defence Committee of the Cabinet, which met at the Prime Minister House in the evening of 26 November strongly condemned the attacks.
He said he even reiterated the resolve of the Pakistani people and Armed Forces to safeguard Pakistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity at all costs.
The Prime Minister said in accordance with the resolution of the joint session of the Parliament of 14 May 2011, the DCC decided to close, with immediate effect, the NATO/ISAF logistics supply lines.
He said the DCC also decided to ask the United States to vacate the Shamsi Airbase within fifteen days adding that the base has since been vacated.
The Prime Minister said the DCC decided that the Government will revisit and undertake a complete review of all programmes, activities and cooperative arrangements with the United States/NATO/ISAF, including diplomatic, political, military and intelligence.
Gilani told the National Assembly that the DCC also decided that the Parliament shall be taken into confidence on the whole range of measures regarding matters relating to Pakistan's future cooperation with the United States/NATO/ISAF.
He said the federal cabinet, in its meeting on 29 November, also condemned the NATO/ISAF attacks and termed them as an assault on the sovereignty of Pakistan.
The cabinet unanimously endorsed the statement and the decisions of the DCC emergency meeting, he added.
The Prime Minister said the cabinet called upon the international community to take due cognizance of such attacks, which constitute a violation of the UN Charter principles, international law and could have serious repercussions for regional peace and that all sides exercise utmost restraint.
He said the cabinet decided that Pakistan should not participate in the Bonn Conference due to the prevailing circumstances.
Gilani said it was also decided to request the National Security Committee of the Parliament to deliberate on the issue and submit its recommendations for consideration by the joint sitting of the Parliament.
He said the National Security Committee of the Parliament is already seized of this issue and will formulate appropriate recommendations.
He ensured that the Committee has full cooperation and support of all branches of the government.
He said the National Security Committee was also given a briefing on the incident by the GHQ and it endorsed the decision not to participate in the Bonn Conference.
The Prime Minister said envoys conference was convened in Islamabad to evaluate the regional security situation, examine policy options, and, in particular, to make recommendations on redefining the terms of cooperation and engagement with the United States, NATO/ISAF.
He said the conclusions and recommendations of the conference have been submitted to the Government and also shared with the National Security Committee of the Parliament.
He reiterated that Pakistan, as a peace-loving country, remains committed to promoting stability and peace in the region, particularly in Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister said as a country that has suffered from terrorism, elimination of terrorism and militancy remains a high priority for the people and Government of Pakistan.
"We had, in all earnestness, extended a hand of friendship to the people and government of Afghanistan," he added.
The Prime Minister said as immediate neighbours and sincere well-wishers of the people of Afghanistan, Pakistan remained committed to promote the best of relations in all spheres.
He said, "In the past, we had extended every cooperation to members of the international community in the counter-terrorism domain. However, the terms of our cooperation have certain well-defined redlines."
Highlighting the well defined redlines, the Prime Minister said these include sovereign equality and mutual respect, no unilateral actions inside Pakistan or against Pakistan, no transgression of territorial frontiers.
He said as a responsible state, Pakistan will continue to uphold and promote the cause of regional peace and stability.
Gilani said, "However, in doing so we shall ensure that our legitimate interests are not only recognized but fully accommodated."
The Prime Minister said, "This fundamental point of principle needs to be understood by our international partners."
He said it is a matter of immense satisfaction that the entire nation is united at all levels to uphold Pakistan's national dignity and honour and to safeguard Pakistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.-Reuters