Reacting to US Admiral Mike Mullen’s scathing criticism of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and allegations that Islamabad was “exporting” terrorism, Pakistani officials said the country had always desired peace in the region and was in no way involved in a ‘proxy war’ in Afghanistan.
The latest and most extreme in a series of statements from US so far compelled President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to join the Foreign Office in condemning the blunt accusations. According to a private TV channel, Zardari and Gilani said Pakistan had always made efforts for peace in the region and such criticism from it ally in the war on terror was uncalled for. Earlier, addressing her weekly briefing at the Foreign Office, spokeswoman Tehmina Janjua denied that Pakistan was fighting any proxy war through the Haqqanis in Afghanistan.
The Inter-Services Public Relations was also quick to respond, with Director General Major General Athar Abbas rejecting any possibility of attack on Kabul from Pakistani soil. Talking to a private TV channel, he said terrorists were taking full advantage of the weak security protocol of NATO and Afghan security forces, citing countless forays on Pakistani border areas with Afghanistan during the past three months. Gen Abbas said Pakistan was struggling against all kinds of terrorist groups on its turf and this struggle would continue indefinitely.
Meanwhile, Janjua said, “Pakistan seeks a relationship with the US based on mutual respect, trust and mutual interest. The foreign minister speaking to the media two days ago has underscored that this relationship is a relationship of choice and based on mutual interest. The relationship is as important for Pakistan as it is for the US. This has been reiterated by spokespersons of the US administration also,” she said. To a question on modalities, if any, had been worked out in Washington over Pakistan launching military action in North Waziristan and elsewhere, she said, “The meetings that have taken place at various levels, at the political level between the foreign minister and the US secretary of state and also at military and intelligence levels, only go to show that communication links between the two sides remain open and discussions on all issues are taking place in a mature and respectful manner between the two countries.” The FO said the onus of the responsibility for effectively countering terrorism must be shared by all. “Areas from where attacks are launched on Pakistani men, women and children must be dealt with proactively.
Both sides agreed to coordinate their counter terrorism efforts to be able to achieve results,” she said.
Meanwhile in an interview with Reuters, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said Pakistan would not tolerate any incursion on its territory by US forces targeting militant groups, calling on Washington to provide the intelligence Islamabad needed to take them out itself. “The Pakistani nation will not allow the boots on our ground, never. Our government is already cooperating with the US … but they also must respect our sovereignty,” he said. Responding to Mullen’s statement, Malik said, “If you say that it is the ISI involved in that attack, I categorically deny it. We have no such policy to attack or aid attack through Pakistani forces or through any Pakistani assistance.” He said the Americans had so far not provided Pakistan with intelligence that would help it go after them. “We are fighting a common enemy but unfortunately not with a common strategy. Instead of a blame game we have to sit together. We are not part of the terrorism, we are part of the solution,” he said.
PM CONDOLES: In a related development, Prime Minister Gilani briefly visited Kabul to express condolences with Afghan President Hamid Karzai over the assassination of Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani. Gilani offered Fateha for the departed soul and prayed for his eternal peace.
Don’t jump to conclusions, Islamabad tells Washington
