A day after the foreign ministry reacted sharply to US allegations on Pakistan nurturing the Haqqani network, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said it was time the United States “does more” in the war on terror.
“Pakistan has already contributed enormously in the fight against terrorism and extremism and now the United States should do more instead,” Gilani told journalists in Islamabad on Friday. “Now it’s time they (US) should sacrifice like we did,” the premier said.
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta had said that Pakistan is shying away from its responsibility to eliminate the Haqqani network.
Panetta’s allegations came after an improvised attack by the Taliban inside a highly-fortified enclave in Kabul which houses the US embassy and the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Panetta, who was head of the Central Intelligence Agency before becoming defence secretary, immediately blamed the attack on the Haqqani network, a group of Afghan Taliban allegedly based in North Waziristan tribal region.
Officials said the renewed blame game between two allies was one of the reasons behind Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani cancelling his trip to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. However, the prime minister and his media team dispelled the impression.
Sources at the Pakistan embassy in Washington said that the only scheduled meeting of the prime minister with any high US officials was a “call on” with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. In diplomatic terms, a call on is just a courtesy call.
“Yes, this was one of the reasons (for cancellation). We were already keeping the prime minister’s stay here as a multilateral visit and not a bilateral visit,” the official said and explained that in a multilateral visit there is no specific agenda on the table in case leaders meet.
Gilani himself said he cancelled the visit because he wanted to supervise the relief efforts in the flood-hit areas of Sindh.
“The president is abroad, the speaker of the National Assembly is also out of the country and now, if the prime minister had gone it would have given the opposition a fair opportunity to bash the government,” an official of the prime minister secretariat said.
President Asif Ali Zardari is in London where he had gone for a medical check-up, but extended his stay in the UK.
His spokesperson said the president had reached Dubai and will probably be back on Sunday.
“His medical appointment had been made several weeks in advance,” Farhatullah Babar said.
In place of Gilani, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will represent Pakistan at the UN General Assembly.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 17th, 2011.
COMMENTS (32)
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Ha! I cant shout at the guy who gives me money, in return for my work. Same with Pakistan.
History teaches us that use of force never worked on Pashtuns as revenge taking and playing with death is their way of life.
Americans will keep on losing their men and money, Pakistani officials will be getting richer and richer and Pakistani society will see more violence.
Just declare Pakistan as the 51st state of US and be done with it !
It will solve all the problems....in any case, they hold our purse strings...
of course U.S.will do more which he is doing now.
Why don't we get this permission to do more in writing? Last I checked the hold ups of doing more were Pakistan itself not allowing it.
@Reality bites: This is being cynical and scornful. Take his remarks in the backdrop of the 20-hour attack on the US embassy and NATO HQs in Kabul. Salams.
@Bilal: I agree with you. The Americans should help Pakistan build a big fence/ wall along the border with Afghanistan so that none of the Afghanis can ever come to Pakistan. All the criminals who kill innocents in Pakistan generally cross this border. If the US can build a big wall to keep out illegal Mexicans, they should help us build a big wall to keep out illegal Afghanis.
PM has admitted that Pakistan is unable to deal with Yahoos in North Waziristan singly and as such perhaps he has beseeched Americans to send ground. troups. It may be some what embarrasing but this is the only sensible way out.
Pakistan should first build a fence on Pak-Afghan border, to stop the funding and infiltrations of Talibans.
Finally PM speaking "Awam ke awaz"
The words to do more thats what Americans have been telling Pakistan so far but ironically Pakistan now advising US to do the same, would have them banging their head against the wall.
These are all election stunts all these political parties have started to pull.
What exactly do you want the USA to do? . Develop a functioning emergency plan for next yrs flooding? No problem. Provide mosquito netting and meds for Dengue fever? No problem. Provide food and water for flood victims. No problem Allow Pakistan to harbor terrorist who attack Afghan/Nato ----- ain't going to happen.
Unfortunately, Pakistan lacks honest and sincere leadership..
Mr. PM we can only wish and hope the US does more. The drone strikes must be increased and hot pursuits started. US should take out not just OBL all the similar net works from Pakistan. Make no mistake, if Pakistan fails to get rid of these terrorists then it would a fair game for the West/NATO/USA to clean them out. Don't wish it, you might get it!
U.S. is trying their best in Afghanistan but they're still getting owned.
Shoot down the drones and cut off the NATO supply line, then the US govt will do more.
Hey US, do more and quit yakking.
Good job on Pakistan side. Time to do more free loading American gubbermint.
@KL: You mean Wen is listening? Premier Wen Jiabao of China?
well done for throwing the 'do more' mantra back on their face!
who is Listening? Mr. Prime Minister.
How is listening? Mr. Prime Minister.
Gilani wants more drones, way to go.
Time for US to do more:
More drone strikes
More strikes like the one at Abbottabad
More Raymond Davis like episodes
what more do u want Mr PM?
Is it correct Mr. Gilani said US to do more? Seriously? Does he know US even will not take notice of the statement unless bargaibn properly?
Tough words are sign of continued strained relations at Afghan front. Something is brewing...?
United State to do more in terms of what ? Drone attacks or anything else,it is not clear.