British Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt received High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan who met him to make a demarche on behalf of the Government of Pakistan in the wake of NATO’s unprovoked air attack on 26 November 2011 inside Pakistan’s territory, which killed 24 soldiers and injured others.
According to the press release issued here on Thursday, the High Commissioner registered Government of Pakistan’s deep concern over the blatant violation of his country’s sovereignty. He briefed the minister on the details of the incident that infuriated the entire nation. He underlined that the SOP agreed between the two countries was not observed by the NATO/ISAF. He informed him about the decisions of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet and the Government of Pakistan and also made a reference to the resolution adopted by the Parliament in May 2011.
Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hasan also informed him about the Government of Pakistan’s decision of not participating in the Bonn Conference. He regretted that the belligerent attitude adopted by the NATO/ISAF was in complete disregard to the sacrifices of over 35,000 human lives and economic losses to the tune of US$ 68 billion, which Pakistan and its people suffered.
Mr. Hasan also underscored that there was no acknowledgement of Pakistan’s support to the logistic supplies for the ISAF for over 10 years at no cost to the allied countries, which was to the disadvantage of Pakistan’s domestic economy and the danger it had posed to its people.
Mr. Burt while conveying the British Government’s condolences referred to the telephone conversation of Foreign Secretary William Hague with Foreign Minister Hina Rubbani Khar on the day of the incident. He expressed solidarity with the people of Pakistan. He said that the British Government favoured an impartial investigation into the incident, which Pakistan may like to join. He requested that the Government of Pakistan may consider its decision about the Bonn Conference since Pakistan was the most important country towards achievement of successful transition and stability in Afghanistan.
The High Commissioner hoped the investigation to be meaningful and those responsible would be exposed and punitive action would be taken against them.
Dear Mr Burt,
Thank you for expressing condolences with Pakistan on the killings of the officer and jawans of Pakistan Army.
We also thank Foreign Minster William Hague for ringing Foreign Minster of Pakistan Ms Hina Rubbani Khar on the day of the incident to express solidarity with the people of Pakistan.
We join Britain in its aspiration to see a meaningful investigation and those responsible punished. I am reproducing what you have been quoted to have said,
"The High Commissioner hoped the investigation to be meaningful and those responsible would be exposed and punitive action would be taken against them."
We are highly appreciative of these messages of solidarity.
Yours truly,
Truly speaking.
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