Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that keeping in view the long standing relations with the United States, Pakistan’s sovereignty should not have been violated.
Reacting to a military operation conducted deep inside the Pakistan territory by a US team of Navy Seals, he said the issue of violation of sovereignty was a matter of concern for Pakistan. He said it was particularly so, in view of the cooperation with the United States of America, in intelligence and defence.
“There was no need to a shortcut, or to bypass Pakistan”, Gilani told the team of reporters accompanying him on his three-day visit to France.
He said the US President had acknowledged Pakistan’s contribution against the war on terror and the on going intelligence sharing between the two countries. He said relations with the United States had seen many ups and downs in the past. He mentioned the incident of Raymond Davis and the Osama’s killing and said it would take some time for the relations to fully normalize between the two countries.
Gilani said during his visit he had an opportunity to present Pakistan’s point of view and inform the French leadership about many things. “There were many misunderstandings and I hope these have been removed.”
He said he told the French President and the Prime Minister about Pakistan’s contribution in the war against terror and the arrest of 248 high value targets besides the sacrifices the country has rendered in this regard.
Gilani mentioned that targets like Libbi, Khalid Shaikh Mohammad have been arrested by Pakistani law enforcement agencies.
To a question Gilani said he was not returning home due to the situation back home in the backdrop of the killings of Osama bin Laden in Abbotabad.
“My official engagements had ended tonight and I decided to return home,” Gilani said and dismissed the suggestion that he had to cut short his visit.
Asked about the difference of opinion from various government quarters regarding the US military operation, he said he would give a policy statement during the winding up debate in the Senate, otherwise the Minister of Information would do so.
