US must share victories along with losses: Gilani

'We are working together in fighting militancy, victories should be shared along with losses' says PM Gilani.

LONDON: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said Pakistan considered its relations with the United States as ‘extremely important’ and stressed that victories in fight against terrorism must be credited to Pakistan.

“As we (Pakistan and US) are working together in fighting militancy, victories should be shared along with losses,” Gilani said at a press conference here at the conclusion of his four-day visit.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that Pakistan and the US were undergoing a strained period after the unilateral action by the US in Abbottabad against al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

He said the incident resulted in misunderstanding between the two countries after Pakistan voiced its reservations for not being taken into confidence for violating its sovereignty.

Gilani said Pakistan would not allow any restrictions forced on it from outside and added that the country’s sovereign parliament had already adopted a resolution opposing such step.

When asked about the need for a more independent foreign policy, he said the Parliament had all the rights to review national strategies and invited the members to work on it, if required.

Repeat of Abbottabad 'unacceptable'

Gilani in an interview with the Guardian newspaper said that a repeat of the Abbottabad raid would be "totally unacceptable", before going on to warn that a all public support would be lost after a repeat incursion.

Commenting on the faltering relationship Pakistan has with the US, Gilani said that "not only our relationship, but also our common objective, to fight against militants. We are fighting a war and if we fail that means that it’s not good for the world. We can’t afford losing."

Lamenting the unilateral action, Gilani said that it was more shocking since both the ISI and the CIA were enjoying healthy relations. With the damage done, Gilani said that "they (the US) have assured us in future there will be no unilateral actions in Pakistan, and there would be co-operation between both the agencies (ISI and the CIA)"

Relations with India

On relations with India, the PM said the two countries had come on the table to discuss all the issues, including the Kashmir dispute.

He said Pakistan and India had realized that their relations should not become hostage to the Mumbai incident and added that the foreign ministers would be meeting on July 27 to discuss a range of issues.

“If the two countries do not talk, the beneficiaries will be the militants,” he said.

When asked to comment on the arrest of Kashmiri leader Ghulam Nabi Fai in the United States, Gilani clarified that he (Fai) belonged to the Occupied Kashmir and his detention had nothing to do with Pakistan’s clear-cut policy on Kashmir.

Relations with MQM

When asked how long would be the patch-up between the government and the MQM (Muttahida Qaumi Movement), Gilani said he hoped for the better as both were allies for the last three years and all amendments in the Constitution had been backed by MQM.

He welcomed the review of decision by MQM chief Altaf Hussain and said it was necessary for the country’s stability and future.

Hina Rabbani's appointment as Foreign Minister

On elevation of Hina Rabbani Khar as Foreign Minister, the Prime Minister said she had the capability of handling the important assignments. As today’s foreign policy was also based on economic issues, the decision of her appointment was made in view of her performance in the last five and a half years as the economic affairs minister, he added.

Foreign Office denounces US smear campaign

Accusing the US of a smear campaign against Pakistan, the Foreign Office issued a statement stating it had registered its protest with the US embassy in Islamabad over the alleged Pakistani links associated with Dr Ghulam Nai Fai

Dr Fai, who was arrested from Virginia, US on Tuesday, was charged with running an illegal lobbying campaign in favour of Pakistan while being bankrolled by the ISI. Pakistan maintains that Dr Fai, an American citizen, has no links with Islamabad.

The press release also mentioned that Jammu and Kashmir is one of the oldest disputes on the agenda of the UN.

The release said that upholding fundamental rights of Kashmiris is the responsibility of the international community.

It is also mentioned that Kashmir Action Committee, of which Dr Fai was the chairman, had been working towards this end and Kashmiris appreciate and applaud its services.