ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on Monday that if the United States has any solid intelligence information on the presence of al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri in Pakistan, it should be shared so that the country can look into the matter accordingly. Khar was speaking in response to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s statement in India.
Khar was briefing the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) on the issue of drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal areas and the recommendation of Parliament on Pakistan-US ties. Ties between the two countries had been affected after an attack on a check post had killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
She said that talks between Pakistan and the United States in light of the terms of engagement set by Parliament were still ongoing and may take some time to settle. She said there was no halt in the talks and the impression of failure was wrong.
The foreign minister said the US will hopefully respect the Pakistani parliament’s recommendations, which have been directly linked to the stoppage of drone strikes.
Chairman PCNS Raza Rabbani briefed the media after the meeting ended. He said that the foreign minister and Defence Secretary Nargis Sethi had given detailed briefings on the implementation of the recommendations.
The committee will meet tomorrow to take up the issue of missing persons.
A unanimous resolution had been passed by the Parliament last month setting new terms and conditions for the reopening of Nato supply routes. It had linked the reopening of supply routes to stoppage of drone strikes.
Pakistan had recently condemned a drone strike in North Waziristan, while the US had said that it will continue to launch drone strikes against militants even if the Pakistani government opposes it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[poll id="744"]
COMMENTS (73)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@Its (still) Econonmy Stupid: I thought it was quite clear what America was doing. There plan has always been as follows:
a Setup terrorist groups in Afghanistan, Pakistan.
b Use terrorist groups to fight Russians.
c Transfer terrorists to various countries such as Libya, Syria, Yemen when it suits.
d Use terrorists as an excuse to invade various countries such as Afghanistan and others.
e Force terrorists who appose them across border into Pakistan.
f Instruct Blackwater terrorists to commit various terrorist acts. Lahore was good example.
g Start blaming Pakistan for American planned terrorist activity.
h Use terrorist activity as an excuse to send drones into Pakistan.
i: Blame Muslims they do not like for planning terrorist activity.
j To please readers back home Hilary puts pressure on Pakistan Government.
k Threaten to stop aid which really is payment for costs incurred by Pakistan.
l CIA controls all terrorist activities in Near East, Middle East, South Asia.
m Hilary is instructed by CIA so knows more about Pakistan Terrorism than F.Minister.
@Truthbetold: Dear Truthbetold, You are probably correct. The world is full of dumb people, and will believe everything they are told, particularly Americans who are totally conditioned.
"The world is still waiting for the U.S. to come clean on a number of outstanding items. An example is 9/11. After eleven years there are still a whole raft of questions which require an answer, but we will never get them."
Unless Pakistan is the world, no one else is waiting for explanation for 9/11. Then again, we are still waiting for proof that the earth is not flat and that man indeed walked on the moon.
The world is still waiting for the U.S. to come clean on a number of outstanding items. An example is 9/11. After eleven years there are still a whole raft of questions which require an answer, but we will never get them. All we get is the tired refrain that America has to defend itself from terrorism even when the so called terrorists retired fifteen years ago and are residing in the upper foothills of the Himalayas. I think it is called vengeance. Of course it is quite alright for the Americans to continually kill innocent Asians, because they do not hurt as much as Americans, and if anybody retaliates they have to be hunted down and subjected to a whole variety of brutal inhumane punishments which the Americans are so good at. The Americans have now become so bad they are starting to make Hitlers Third Reich personnel look like choir boys.
I am sure they will. Timing could be of little embarrassment for the Pakistani establishment, going by OBL precedence. But again will that make any difference to the pathetic state of affairs of our dear land of pure?
I just started learning politics at the age of 25. No Pakistani girl has this honor
Concrete proof will be rejected by the Lahore HC so there is no use in the US giving sensitive info to an ally(???) who is not trust worthy. They will get him just like they got Mr. Bin Liner with or without the help of Pakistan.
Honorable FM, we know incompetency of your government, no need to add salt to injury by asking Hillary to pin point whereabouts of Zawahiri, better ask your Interior minister to help. Above all you should warn all Arab States n African States that they must control their citizens who come here n create mess n IF these States fail to act than Pakistan will be within it's rights to go there n take military actions along with USA/NATO forces.
They know where he is with better than 90% confidence - likely - and will use it as a stick after they get him to put Pakistan in-line. unfortunately they don't know that we don't know
@Ratkickr:
"Pakistan has arrested and handed over a number of AQ suspects to the US before. Don’t think they will want to shelter anybody from AQ. No benefit out of it."
Wasn't the exact line we heard about Osama bin Laden?
Zawahiri would be hiding in another Garrison town....and if US shares information with Pakistan...He would be gone..!
@usmanx: "It is written by an Indian (not actually living in India) with a non-Indian, self-gratifying call name."
How do you make the determination that 1) IT is by Indian 2) The Indian does not live in India What do you mean by non-India call name. Did you mean non-Hindu? Have you considered that India also has Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis and Jains? In fact India has 150 million Muslims so you should not just assume that any comment you disagree with from a Muslim implies that it is an Indian hiding their identity and pretending to be a Pakistani 1) It could be an Indian Muslim 2) It could be a Pakistani Muslim who may have a different point of view than you do
Another ploy to put pressure on Pakistan!!
Dear ET, please look at the first comment.
It is written by an Indian (not actually living in India) with a non-Indian, self-gratifying call name. Their comment has zero purpose but to flame-bait. It is irrelevant and does not advance the article at hand.
Why approve such garbage and suffocate the discussion before it ever has a chance to breathe?
@Hillz:
When you find Mr. Z, please take as many of our politicians as you can too on the return helicopter trip.
Expensive packaging. Same old chestnuts.
When do we understand trust absence vs trust deficit
@Feroz, I live in this world. Yes I have heard of Osama Bin Laden and intelligence failures happen. Intelligence agencies warned of attack on Bannu jail. Sorry but blindly believing US is what I call gullible.
Concrete evidense against terrorists, that will stand the scrutiny by justices at Punjab high court, Lahore , have not yet being discovered by mankind. Until then , drones will fly.
No proves only pressurizing Pakistan... SHAME on both U.S & India!
@ayesha_khan: This is common knowledge. But until this War on Terror continues, nothing can be done. Once it comes to a finish, its anybody's guess how the retribution will happen.
@Batman: Brother which world are you living in ? You must have heard of Osama Bin Laden - are you telling us that he took a stroll and landed up in Abbotabad. A huge building with high walls and 25 people living there without anyone being wiser. What about the Bannu jail break where soldiers and prison guards sacrificed their blood to the last man ? You are free to believe whatever you want to but rest assured the World is not as gullible as you are, neither are the people of Pakistan. Wish you well though !
To be honest I wonder as to why Pakistan is going away from the world and reality. They are getting into a cocoon and sinking by hour.These type of denial and same statements have become trade mark of Pakistan. Why we keep asking others to provide proofs and evidences why do'nt we put our agencies to work over time and find out truth? Why do we want OBL type problems to creep up?
Front page of ET Hillary facing Hina: Looks like a cat fight. Hillary: He is hiding in your house? Hina: How do you know? Hissss
When US knows exactly where Zawahiri is you will see Abbotabad 2. Given the tip off by Pakistani authorities based on intelligence shared with you, it is unlikely that intelligence will be shared with you on this. http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/pakistan-officials-colluding-militants-us-presents-evidence/story?id=13815285 What is being stated is simply a good guess based on circumstantial evidence
Dear FM, ignorance is not funny anymore and don't wish for something that you cannot handle.
@Feroz: Well said !
Same script as with Bin laden. Pakistani govt will never learn.
@Feroz: your comment is ridiculous. Let me remind you that our army is fighting the terrorists and has sacrificed thousands of lives. Intelligence agencies don't know everything so when US claims that Zawahiri is in Pakistan then we must ask them if they know anything that we don't. I can understand if you're type of comments were posted by indian trolls but you as a Pakistani should refrain from such ridiculous comments.
The terrorists are busy slaughtering ordinary Pakistani citizens and the Politicians and Military Brass keep asking the International community for evidence and information on wherabouts. Heck, what is the job of the Police and Intelligence agencies if foreigners are asked about the location of these terrorists ? Ridiculous and totally lacking in credibility !
By asking US for evidence is Madam FM conceding that US knows more about what is going on within the borders of Pakistan than the Pakistani government it self? If so why play the sovereignty card. Pattern: Ask for evidence (b) When evidence is provided we went there he was not there or evidence is not worth the paper it is written on. (c) He will be dealt with the rules and regulations of Pakistan (d) We do not need advice from some foreign country on how to catch criminals (e) We should have been contacted for joint operations (f) We helped in catching the culprit where is our praise or share of the bounty money (g) any one helping US finding Al Zawari will be charged with treason etc etc
It is time for FO to get a new Standard Operating Procedure book.
".....if the United States has any solid intelligence information on the presence of al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri in Pakistan, it should be shared....." Ms. Khar, the best chance you have of knowing whereabouts of Ayman al Zawahiri, in pakistan, is to ask the intelligence agencies of pakistan. What's next? you cant find hafeez saeed? mulla omar?
Has Pakistan FO asked for concrete proof , that will stand scrutiny by Lahore HC, against Al Zahawari yet ?
the stand our government took on NATO killing our 24 soldiers become so hollow afterwards so we now know the depth of these stands now. Pakistani government doesn't mean a thing they say.
This is really dumb; we have said this before about OBL.
They would rather backstab Pakistan like they did with OBL
So that you can pass on info and alert them??? being in foreign office you must be very much aware of the fact that no one in the international circuit trust your country anymore M'am...
@major-ji: - this is the MOST realistic and competent reply that i haev seen so foar on the comments column - better than my own sarcasm above - if Hon FM of Pakistan does not follow some action simiar to what was advised by major-ji the relationship wit the usa will fall further and perhaps by now, below the line where recovery may no longer be possible .
I thought the World's Greatest Spy Agency would know !!
If US conducts once again operation in Pakistan as they did in case of OBL, then Pakistan has to conduct similar operation to 'treat' with Bush
I think Pakistan should take one step forward and and apprehend Zawahiri and other Al Quaeda leaders and co-operate with the US. They urgently need to show they deserve the moolah they are getting from their masters.
Despite Khar's manly talk, what will happen is, that Pakistan will co-operate with the US and disclose details of Zawahiri's whereabouts and the US marines will come and finish him of and the country will cry itself hoarse for awile and the politicians will make some more money and then the aid will continue.
End of story. This is like a bollywood hit film. The same story with cosmetic changes.
Please provide us evidence about where Al Zawahiri is so that we can move him on priority if you have the right location.
kill him any where ....dump his body in the sea.... claim he was killed in Pakistan. whats the big deal?
On the one hand we are told that North Waziristan is the 'Wild west' and out of control. So the US decided to handle this rough territory by itself , and they are told it violates sovereignty.
If Clinton believe that Zawahiri is in Pakistan then please go ahead get him and go away. Please leave us so that we can sort out ourselves.
@Hedgefunder: Pakistan has arrested and handed over a number of AQ suspects to the US before. Don't think they will want to shelter anybody from AQ. No benefit out of it.
Question : Why should they ?
once again? no ghairat here?
My dear respcted FM of Pakistan. Can you please come out of such stereo type statements. Nation is fed up of such irrelevant talk. US never shared the information about existence of OBL in Pakistan. It does not trust any more Pakistan, so how you can expect it for other high value target. They will deal with him soon and you will come to know. In fact US is tightening its rope against the neck of Pakistan. The other day your collegue Defence Minister warned about sanctions. Why you want to isolate the Pakistan from the worlds community. Take some bold decisions (if at all you are permitted to do so) to stay as a nation on the map of the world. Time is running very fast lest every one start saying alas we could had reacted in time. Accept the truth and stop bluffing the nation as well allies. Mullahs or extremsits are not friend of humanity how can they be friend of Pakistan. Just throw away the yoke of Mullah fear and every thing will be OK.
If US provide address proof, identity proof, then we will hide him in Abattobad, this time in the kitchen of Military Academy.
Yes, USA should provide the intelligence so that Pakistan can hide him on time.
The same question as always! You can only answer that! And USA believes in action unfortunately!
"'US should provide information on Zawahiri's presence in Pakistan'" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Great Ms Khar does not deny the presence of Zawahiri in Pakistan but wants to confirm if US knows the latest hideout!
The whole world has evidence except Pakistani officials, isn’t that something?
Khar should also point out that US should also provide evidence where Hafeez Saeed is, oh damn...
Ms. Khar, so you want another May 2, 2011? Lets just focus on our own intelligence and seek a reply from them, that how come OBL lived in Pakistan as claimed by the media for so many years? Please do not ask for another embarrassing situation for Pakistan by another surprise attack.
US will not provide information on Zawahiri....They'll take out Zawahiri the way they took out OBL...
Stop asking for information and proofs for heaven's sake...
US may conduct raid for Zawahari like they did to take away OBL which is not acceptable to Pakistan. They may also conduct raid for Hafeez Saeed. The Intelligence and security services must increase security. Zawahri may be most wanted for US but not definitely for Pakistan.
This is also what they said about Osama - " Provide us proof and we will look into the matter ", " Until then we will look after these guys ". Pakistan wont act on Zawahiri, Hafiz , Dawood or anybody else. There are politicians and administrators and army guys gaining from their presence financially.It is not a " Solidarity with Islam " issue it is one of financial gain. Simple.
'US should provide information on Zawahiri's presence in Pakistan' The exact words we used to say about bin laden.
How about if Pakistan provides information on the whereabouts of Zawahiri, for a change? How about the complete list of other sheltered undesirables? When will those highly "intelligent" agencies learn?
US should NOT provide information to Pakistan about Zawahiri. US should repeat what they have done with Osama.
Very quick and a responsible response to a highly irresponsible statement by Hillary Clinton...
in other words - hey Hilary, we are too young and absolutely incompetent so please do our job for us and tell us where Mr Z is ! and thanks for the handout .
The foreign minister is exhibiting her naiveté when she asks for evidence from the USA. It has the same familiar ring to it when former dictator Musharraf asked for evidence about OBL' s presence in Pakistan and time and again he was so confidently declaring that OBL was in Afghanistan. May 2nd proved otherwise when the entire nation was humiliated and embarrassed.
So that the Country can arrange to Relocate him, prior to any raids !!!!
Proof will soon be available. Three helicopters with 25 marines will land near south east Lahore and fly away with the dead bodies of our strategic assets, later to be cremated in sea in strict conformance with Islamic traditions. Until then, lets sing the same tune that we learned in grade1.
Please check on Marghala Hills just adjacent to Islamabad.
like they provided us with the info on OBL
So cute... If US has to tell you about the presence of Zaharwi then what is your interior ministry and other departments doing? Are we waiting for US to come and kill him on our behalf as they did to OBL?
Zawahiri usually shows up where US is about to intervene massively and resultant break-up of country. Sudan, Libya, Iraq, Algiers, Yemen, Afghanistan are just to name a few. He was wanted by the Egyptians but he was under tutelage of Imperial Britain, comfortably residing in London.