Pakistani envoys based in important world capitals on Monday cautioned the ruling circles against a complete breakdown in ties with the United States, saying it could harm the national interests, but also asked for a long-term relationship with the world’s sole superpower based on mutual interests and not just a security-based partnership.
Islamabad on Monday opened its two-day ‘Envoys’ Conference’ here to discuss various aspects of foreign policy with focus on revising the country’s policy on ties with Washington, which have been strained in the wake of the recent deadly NATO air strike against two Pakistani outposts in Mohmand Agency in which 24 soldiers were killed. Pakistani envoys to US, China, European Union, Russia, Germany, Iran, India, Afghanistan and Turkey are participating in the conference, which is presided over by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman General Khalid Shameem Wyne and Finance Minister Abdul Hafiz Shaikh also attended the ambassadors’ moot on Monday, which went on for the whole day.
“One important proposal that was discussed and vetted at the envoys’ conference on day one was to start taxing the NATO trucks and tankers in case of resumption of NATO supplies to Afghanistan through Pakistan,” said a Pakistani diplomat, requesting anonymity. Pakistan closed its borders to NATO supplies along with issuing orders to the US to vacate the Shamsi air base and boycotted the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan as a protest against the NATO strike. “The taxation could bring millions of dollars in annual taxes on NATO trucks and fuel tankers but the step could be taken only if the supplies are resumed and Pakistan decides to allow them to cross into Afghanistan,” he said. He said the envoys who came from important world capitals observed that Pakistan could not afford complete breakdown in relations with US and steps must be taken to have a long-term relationship with Washington based on mutual interests if there was a firm assurance by the Obama administration that Islamabad’s sovereignty would be respected and there would be no violation of it in future. He said the ambassadors were of the view that there could be no compromise on national sovereignty but if the US apologised for the NATO strike, steps should be taken towards normalisation of ties with Washington as otherwise the country’s economy would suffer serious harm and damage.
US FRUSTRATED: Addressing the conference, Lt General Pasha said that the NATO attack was tantamount to disregard of Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terrorism. “The US and its allies are frustrated because of setbacks in Afghanistan and the attack on Pakistani border posts was a result of that frustration,” said Pasha. “The US has no idea of ground realities in the region and in Afghanistan,” a source privy to the moot quoted General Pasha as saying. However, the source said that some of the envoys differed with General Pasha’s remarks, but they expressed that only when he had left. “The envoys observed that it doesn’t seem realistic to think that US doesn’t have the idea of ground realities in the region and in Afghanistan,” he said. In her address, Foreign Minister Khar said Pakistan was reviewing its ties with western allies. “We are reviewing the terms of engagement with the NATO and the US as we want a relationship with them based on mutual respect and understanding,” a source quoted her as saying. She said recommendations of the Envoys’ Conference would be sent to parliament for final approval. “Pakistan will chalk out a foreign policy to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and to align it strictly with the country’s requirements for peace and development,” she said. The conference will conclude today.
NATO attack was third of its kind.
Paddling it as a mistake and to accept it as one would be foolish.
(Another word for an act of omission is an ‘honest mistake’ which mirrors a genuine mind-set, one of humility. The people in Pakistan have not heard anything like this from those involved.)
International relations are based on mutual interest and that is what should be developed here.
Save this picture!
The General and the Pasha runs (for real – look at their seat) the Pak Foreign Envoy conference with Foreign Minister in attendance. And you want to call it a democratic civilian government.
Take a sane and a balanced view.
There is your Foreign Minister MS Hina Rabbani Khar, the Finance Minister Mr Hafeez Sheikh and Foreign Secretary Mr Salman Bashir. Besides, there are envoys from across the world.
Anon u r absolutely right. Save this picture!
Relationship not on equality basis. Americans are so arrogant, they refused to tender Apology for 11/26 planned attack by NATO/ASAF.
The real problem is the incompetent ruling class, not even defending interests of pakistan properly.Same goes with the foreign ministry.Untill & less the POOR masses are involved in the decision making it will remain a shame democracy & subservient pakistan.
There is only one villain here & tht's GHQ which is running the show.
Yes save this picture. Its a black spot on our democracy.
War is too serios an issue to be left to General, said by Winston Churchill
What a bright bunch we have as envoys. The policy is made here by Khar not by senile envoys
Pakistan's sovereignty in anyway should not be compromised on any cost. We are a decent open hearted nation who respect for other nations and believe to be respected in return. If anybody/country regardless of power status dares to deny Pakistan's existence, respect, sovereignty or underestimate its capability, should be treated as enemy and entertained with due enemy respect. We as nation do not care and worry for America or any other power for theire super power status, as we only believe in Superimacy of Almighty Allah. We do not want friends who advent us and target our own soliders, we have the capability and need to demonstrate that to tell the world we are capable. Those who fear for economy or the consequences should also learn to live with dignity and honor. We need to unite on all platforms and that's the only key will help us reply. We do not consider any super power when it comes to our sovereignty and respect. We should not forget the very basics of our religion. We respect and regard other nations and their right to think and decide for themselves, we do expect others to behave similar. __Otherwise we know how to teach it. InshAllah Pakistanis will respond as a nation not compromising on their priority national interests.
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