Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday said keeping in view Islamabad’s cooperation with the US in the war on terrorism, the US should not have bypassed Pakistan in conducting the operation against Osama bin Laden. Talking to reporters accompanying him on a three-day visit to France, Gilani said the US should not have violated Pakistan’s sovereignty. “The issue of violation of sovereignty is a matter of concern for Pakistan, particularly in view of our cooperation with the US in intelligence and defence. There was no need to a shortcut, or to bypass Pakistan.”
“Pakistan has so far captured around 48 high value targets alone and the same number of terrorists was arrested with the cooperation of other countries’ intelligence agencies. It is too early to say and determine that it was the failure of Pakistan’s intelligence agencies. If we failed then the intelligence agencies of the world also failed to hunt Osama in the last 10 years,” Gilani said. On India’s reaction regarding Osama’s presence in Pakistan, Gilani said, “India’s statement was uncalled for….they should support us in our fight against terror.”
He said the US president had appreciated Pakistan’s contribution against the war on terror and the ongoing intelligence-sharing between the two countries.
To a question, Gilani said he was not returning home because of the situation after the Abbottabad incident. “My official engagements have 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 in various government quarters regarding the US military operation, Gilani said he would give a policy statement during the winding up debate in the Senate otherwise the minister of information would do that.
Responding to a query about the fate of Laden’s wife and children in Pakistan’s custody, he said they would be handed over to their countries of origin in accordance with the law. On the recently-formed PPP-PML-Q alliance, Gilani said the alliance was not against the PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and his party. “We will not destabilise the Punjab government and will let them complete their term,” he said.
