Sovereignty to be on top of new terms with NATO, ISAF: Gilani

Reaffirming his government’s stance on ensuring the country’s sovereignty, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said it would be on top of priorities in the new terms of engagements with NATO and ISAF in the ongoing war on terror.
“Let the recommendations come first, but I need assurance and guarantee on the sovereignty of my country,” Gilani said in a press conference at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor’s House on Wednesday. He said unilateral actions like the Mohmand attack should not be taken in the future.
Asked about Pakistan’s stance on US drone attacks and other issues, the prime minister said, “So far we are disgruntled, let us wait for discussions on such matters whenever the dialogue resumes between the two sides.” He, however, defended government’s steps of halting supplies to NATO forces in Afghanistan. The prime minister said that in reaction to the Mohmand strike, “the government’s decisions was in accordance with the resolutions adopted by the joint session of parliament and All-Parties Conference”. He said the decision was in accordance with the expectations of the masses and endorsed by the recently-held ambassador’s conference. On relations with Afghanistan, Gilani said, “A sovereign, independent, stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan. We and Afghan leadership realise that we both suffered from terrorism. We have to wage a joint struggle against violence and terrorism.”
Commenting on relations with Afghanistan, Gilani said others could come and go back, but “we have to stay here”. He said issues regarding strengthening of relations with Afghanistan could be fixed in new terms and conditions with NATO and ISAF. The prime minister avoided commenting on media reports regarding streamlining of affairs between the civilian government and military, saying “I am unaware of such reports.”
He, however, said that “all institutions perform according to the constitution”. Expressing pleasure with the federal cabinet’s meeting in Peshawar, Gilani said, it was helpful in discussing public sector development strategies. He said the federal government allocated funds for Lowari Tunnel, Chashma Right Bank Canal and High Way in Mansehra according to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s proposals and priorities. He directed for an early completion of remaining portion of the Peshawar Bypass. Besides chairing the federal cabinet meeting, Gilani attended joint parliamentary party meeting and a gathering of PPP stalwarts and activists at the Governor’s House.