Own your mess, Pakistan tells US

In a loud and clear message that Pakistan’s national interest will guide its policy, Islamabad on Saturday unambiguously warned Washington against any hot pursuit inside its territory or making the country a scapegoat for the US failure in Afghanistan.
With Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani strongly rejecting the US assertions of complicity with the Haqqanis and of Pakistan launching a proxy war, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar also hit out at the US, warning it against crossing the “red-lines” and making it a “scapegoat” for failed objectives (in Afghanistan). “We have established red-lines with them (the US) … those red-lines have to be accepted and followed by every country … if any established rules of engagement are broken, all doors and options will be opened up,” Khar told a private TV channel to a question about the possibility of the US sending troops into Pakistan.
Making a policy statement, Prime Minister Gilani said, “Pakistan’s national interest will guide our policy.” He said several countries had maintained direct contacts with the Haqqanis. “Singling out Pakistan is not fair … Pakistan cannot be held responsible for the security of the US NATO/ISAF forces in Afghanistan … while there have been terrorist attacks in Kabul and Wardak, there have also been numerous attacks on Pakistan launched from sanctuaries and havens in Nooristan and Kunar in Afghanistan… it is as much the responsibility of the Afghan National Army, NATO and ISAF not to allow such cross-border militancy,” the prime minister said, adding that joint operations and coordination were essential.
“Let’s be objective and not get carried away by emotions,” he stressed. He said the propaganda blitz against Pakistan was indeed unfortunate. “It vitiates the atmosphere and is counter-productive … it tends to ignore the sacrifices made by the people of Pakistan and negates all that we have endeavored to achieve over the last several years… More than 35,000 Pakistanis have fallen victim to the acts of terrorism and many more have been injured,” he said.
He recalled Pakistan had taken resolute action against terrorists and militants. “We have done so in our national interest … the US knows very well the full account of large number of al Qaeda operatives that were interdicted, captured and killed by our security forces … terrorists are targeting innocent civilians, bombing our markets and places of worship and carrying out targeted assassinations against security and law enforcement personnel,” he said.
The PM said allegations (against Pakistan) betray a confusion and policy disarray within the US establishment on the way forward in Afghanistan. “Clearly, there is a concern over the deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan … recent attacks in Kabul, including on the US embassy, were disquieting. We condemn these attacks,” he said.
He stressed the need for close policy coordination between Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US, saying: “We need to develop a clear and coherent strategy together. A clear roadmap so that Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US are on the same page and work together for achieving the stated goal of reconciliation and peace. It is with this in view that we established the Trilateral Core Group which has met four times.”
He observed that blame-game was self-defeating and it would only benefit the enemies of peace. “Only terrorists and militants will gain from any fissures and divisions … Pakistan’s credentials and sacrifices in the counter-terrorism campaign are impeccable and unquestionable,” he said. Gilani said Pakistan had emphasised the need for deeper engagement in recent interaction with the US, including the foreign minister’s meeting with the US secretary of state, and at the military and intelligence level.
“However, this can only take place on the basis of mutual respect…let’s avoid mutual recrimination and recommit ourselves to working together for eliminating terrorism and for reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan,” he said, reiterating that a stable and peaceful Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan.