APC consensus: 'Give peace a chance'
While it is expected that Federal Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan and the Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani would be giving a statement, participants of the meeting revealed the resolutions as they exited PM house.
Awami Pakistan Muslim League leader Sheikh Rashid Ahmed revealed that as per the consensus reached between all political parties and the military leaders, they would revisit Pakistan’s national policy towards the War on Terror, with some participants calling for a return to the pre-9/11 status.
He said that the Jamaat-e-Islami had strong reservations over military action against the Haqqani network and this was taken into consideration. It was resolved that the government would take action against the Haqqani network but only on the decision of the Pakistani government, not at the behest of US.
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan said that a parliamentary committee would be formed which would oversee the implementation of the resolution. He also said that all parties agreed that of the two options available to tackle Haqqani network, there was consensus that military action was not the right way, but dialogue and negotiations were the way forward.
Imran Khan also revealed that the Haqqani network had at least three branches, including a militant branch. Khan said that the ISI chief, General Ahmed Shuja Pasha informed the conference that the ISI only maintained contacts with the political arm of Haqqani network.
Earlier the political leadership of Pakistan met for a marathon nine hours in Islamabad today (Thursday) for an all parties conference on the national security situation, which has been called in the wake of serious US allegations against Pakistan.
The outgoing top US military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, has accused Pakistan of exporting violent extremism to Afghanistan and called the Haqqani network a "veritable arm" of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency.
Addressing the conference, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said the APC was aimed at forging consensus on important national issues.
"American statements shocked us, and negate our sacrifices and successes in the ongoing war against terror," Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani told the APC.
"Pakistan cannot be pressurised to do more," Gilani said. "Our doors are open for dialogue (with the international community)," he added.
The inaugural speech of Gilani was followed by the briefing of Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. She apprised the participants of her meetings with US government officials during her visit to New York to attend the UN General Assembly session.
Khar said she assertively presented Pakistan's case during her meetings and highlighted the immense sacrifices rendered by the nation in the war against terrorism.
The Director General ISI Ahmed Shuja Pasha briefed the meeting about the challenges the country was facing at the military front.
Pasha told the meeting to use ‘political, diplomatic and military channels to resolve issues’ between Washington and Islamabad, Reuters reported.
DG ISI said that Pakistan would not allow the situation to get to a "point of no return."
Pasha, however, reiterated that "American attack on Pakistan in the name of (fighting) extremism is not acceptable."
The briefings were followed by a question and answer session.
Express 24/7 correspondent Masror Hausen said Maulana Fazlur Rehman had left the press conference in a hurry. There were reports that Rehman had come to attend the APC despite being unwell.
In today’s meeting at the Prime Minister House, politicians will prepare a coordinated response to the latest allegations levelled by the United States against Pakistan.
Express 24/7 correspondent Sumera Khan earlier reported that a number of politicians had arrived and that a total of 58 political leaders are expected to attend the meeting.
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Shujaat, Pakitan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, Awami National Party (ANP) leader Asfandyar Wali, chief of Awami Muslim League (AML) Sheikh Rasheed and other political leaders are currently present at the PM House.
Speaking to the media, Imran Khan said that he was attending the conference because it was a national cause and that he would try to convince the leadership to “come out of a military option.”
Read the full text of the resolution here.
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@Cautious: ever been to tribal areas even the sikhs eat osama bi ladin supari they hate america and have there own code called pashtunwali
We wants no more relations with US ISI ZINDABAD PAKISTAN PAINDABAD
Why couldn't Altaf Hussain visit Pak for such an important event to express his thoughts over the issue?? Every party was represented by its leader except MQM!!
@Cautious: I find it odd that so many Indians like you are so obsessed with Pakistan. If anything Pakistanis are pleased that there is new consensus in the nation and we will overcome our challenges. So keep your negative comments to yourself.
The courageous Kayani, Pasha and all the mullahs in APC did not have the courage to refute the American claims of OBL in bed with Pakistani establishment. They did not refute his death at American hands and his stay for over five years in Abbottabad. So much for their straight talk and principled stand. A big gathering of mullah/military alliance but zero plus zero plus zero still comes out zero.
I believe they don't wanna leave the region because US is too chicken to repeat the same mistake again as they did before when they funded Mujaheddins to beat Russia and take down their gunships with heat sinking missiles with the collaboration of Pakistan (with General Zia-ul-Haq), Now USA is always talking about if they will leave the region there will be more terrorist attacks and they'll have no control over it to protect themselves. If they leave, terrorist will harbor again in Pakistan or Afghanistan and region will be more unstable as ever.
@Cautious: Haggani Network all leaders and fighters are in Afghanistan's 7 Provinces. They have a full control on all 7 provices.
American army give Haggani Network money regulary to protect them and let them pass through the raod they are using in between Paktia to Khost provinces.
Why American army pay them??? a big question. Haqqani network is a part of Afghan Taliban. They work under them.
WHY AMERICA DOES NOT Finish them in Afghanistan????
Ameican Impossed sanctions on Pakistan in 1989 soon after Russia was defeated in afghanistan. America imposed sanctions in 1960 on Pakistan. We still have survived. Did not we?
We do not want any enemity with America nor want to have in un-equal relationship. Relationship must be on equal and mutual respect base.
@Cautious: My dear same apply with America. American President has been forced by the American army Generals to act how they want. Look what Obama said in his first speech as well as in his Election campaign but he has never been able to implement that policy. Everytime he tried to change plicy American Army and Pentagone dominated him and his administration and regarding war in Afghanistan.
They asked him to provide 30,000 more troops then obviousely he had to do that as could never go against the Army wishes and then he sent those troops.
Actually all arms factories in America belongs to some Elite and powerful people. Who always keep pressure on American government to keep wage war on other poor countries. This is how they run their Arm and amunition factories.
@Aamir: We did negotiation with India we have negations wit them every year but they back track .
@Rajendra Kalkhande: hahahha you know nothing about islam or the world Muslim Riot in Gujrat killed at least 2,000 people as for People Dying in Karachi, why are you trying to compare that to the number of muslims who die in India ??? Karachi violence was beetween gangs, dont u have criminals gangs in India ?
Muslims and Hindus were two separate communities even when the British Colonised the region . Muslim can live happily as a minority but no reason to join a Hindu country when you have the choice
@Asif: So the US must leave Muslim lands! What about Muslims living in 'non-Muslim' lands, should they leave too (or does all land belong to the Muslims!)?
@Cautious: it will not make any difference if america stop aid or they dont allow us to export our goods etc etc, but it will be a big thing for us that we try to stand without any support. As if m not wrong we have loss near about 65billion dollars in war against terr & total aid to Pakistan for military was not even half of it, 35000 people died & around 5000 to 7000 army people were killed in last 10years. As we all know that this war against terror was a great plan for occupying land & control china. Pakistan was never a target, if we do as american says but for our actual and larger interest we should not say yes boss to them infact we should stand with people who are in majority in afghanistan and they want foreigners out of their country. Now that usa is facing bad time in afghanistan & they have lost their so called war aganist terror, they want to put blame on some once head and run back home. In 80s n 90s Afghan n Pakistan image was like a lions who are fighting with Russia the super power see "Rambo" movie, but now when history is repeating itself they are blaming Pakistan. In reality Pakistan cannot fight with NATO and america at a time, but it is Afghan people who are fighting for their freedom and in my opinion it is their right. Afghanistan is not a American or NATO soil, it is on Afghni people to decide their President. Americans attacked Iraq for oil and make fool of us by telling that Sadam is having chemical weapons. I wonder if was possible at that time even when Sadam was welcoming them to come and check your self. I think it is the right time to become a nation and one nation. Proud to be a pakistani
Is the outcome of the meeting predictable?
ISI maintains contact only with the political wing- that admission is good enough since the political wIng sets the agenda of the militants. Is it not case with PAK political parties scheme?
@ Cautious: who controls CIA, who controls the US Congress and Senate? who controls the US president? who control the Federal Reserve? who controls the US foreign policy? you and this chap mirza are the ones who make these disappointed posts every time degrading our country.please if you do not have anything positive to say then you should better not comment, same goes for mirza saab. We are in a mess, alright but what right does that give you to do Pakistan bashing in your every post? who are you? some Indian chap?
It is admitted, for a moment, that Pakistan is playing game of double cross and helping Taaliban or Haqqanis. The question is then who has killed thousands of Pakistanis in suicide bomb attacks. Our foreign minister's stance and tone was quite good in her speech in General Assembly. But it was also a good question to be put forth there.
all the indians on this page, their mouth is watering at the prospect of america attacking Pakistan. My promise to you is after we finish off America we are coming for Kashmir and Hyderabad
Pakistan Politicians have showed Unity ,something you could never do. The communist parties of India forced Congress to be friends with Pakistan
Nothing motivates Pakistani public more than hollow rhetoric. Atleast people will feel good for a few days
Give PEACE a chance. Negotiate will all parties. Stop operations. Inshallah Peace will return to our country soon.
In last 3-4 years there have been 3 all party meetings.
Meeting No 1 : After 10 terrorists aided and abetted by agencies attack India in Mumbai Meeting No 2 : Operation Abottabad , Osama missing Meeting No 3 : Haqanni
It looks like the political parties rally around in support of ....................... ( fill in the blanks ).
Christian countries side lined their priest from day to day politics long ago. We Indians sidelined Brahmins from our everyday lives long ago. Unfortunately Muslims are still held prisoners by Mullas in the name of Islam. Nothing will change in Muslim nations unless they get free from the clutches of Mullas. Let faith remain a personal matter and state should not entertain issues based upon religion. Maximum damage to Islam is being done by Muslims themselves and not by others. Sunnis killing Shias and what not.Number of total Muslims killed in riots in India is probably much less than the muslims killed by muslims in Karachi in the same number of years. Correct me if I am wrong. Once again no ill will towards Pakistanis. Let our differences become our beauty and not the cause of destruction. I agree, we are different. But Hindu-Muslims of India gave world many things which are unique. Neither of us could do that alone. I can go on forever...
Prepare the nukes and prepare to fight the invaders. Pakistan will have to defend its honor. We have had enough of American tittle tattle.
We may disagree about the approach to APC but we must appreciate that all parties came together to discuss a national cause. Formation of the committee is a good step but it must be given some authority to execute.
huh ?! Why wasn't peace given a chance in the previous 64-year conflict with India ?!
@Abdul Lateef:
No foriegn policy is carried out on equality. Its carried out on the basis of power and benifit. Every country tries to get the best it can without giving away too much and will take advantage of its favorable position. Pakistan will never be able to negotiate with the US on the basis of equality till it is dependent on trade, aid and military equipment from the US and till it utilizes terrorists as leverage. The US doesnt need Pakistan for economic development where as Pakistan needs the US to stay affloat and run a govt., take care of floods and buy military equipment. In terms of security, the terrorists in Pakistan and Afghanistan are a security threat for the US and thats what Pakistan brings to the negotiating table. To fight them or not and what benifit could be had if they decide to take action. Pakistan has taken funds from the US but has not curbed the spread to extremism in its country. When Osama bin laden was found in Pakistan there was no inquiry about how he got there and was living there without any one knowing but an enquiry was carried about how Pakistans soveriegnity was violated with these attacks. Yes while the second should be seriously taken up through diplomatic channels, wasnt it important to find out how the worlds most wanted man was staying there unnoticed.
Pakistan needs to decide whether it wants good relations with the US, India and the West and also whether it wants to develop and grow and what path it wants to take. The Taliban are not going to suddenly change their ways once the US has left. Pakistan needs to take care of the extremists in its country one way or another for its own sake, forget the US or India. Pakistan needs to pick a side. Either it is against armed militia or accepts them and allows them to freely operate. As long as Pakistan is regarded as a haven for terrorists, economic development will be curtailed and it will always have a weaker hand while formulating its foriegn policy.
A 9 hour consensual meeting , hope our leaders learn it
US must leave all Muslim lands.
They are the source of instability.
The only Pakistani who support the US war are those liberal extremists. They also voted in favor.
The liberal extremists are the causes of all regional problems. They have supported war all the time against Afghanistan and others.
Time for people to examine them. They are the from the few wealthy elite who are fraudies.
Time for you to wake up, and kick them out of all Muslim countries.
These are the biggest traitors
They study in the US, and support war on poor people around the world
@Tasneem gillani: Sister, "Public happiness" is not the goal of our leaders. As its not the goal of any other business to make you happy if s/he is not paid well. In this case we have to pay political leaders & their whole team to live overseas for next thousand years. That's how long the money they rob from us & saved in foreign banks is going to last. Except our blood parents everyone else is for money, land, wealth, pleasure or power. Hope all Pak Citizens get this education & take any action accordingly. Remember: Finding the root of the Problem is 50% of the Solution.
@Ahmed:
And you think the APC doesn't already know this? Naive.
Being a pakistani ,i m very happy of APC 'its the demand of time ,this country belong to every pakistan.Good all leaders r there especally PML(n)PTI! Iwish participation of MQM ,Jamaat Islami ) must be there
its just a glimpse of the fact that how easily they can make whole the nation bovine.
@Khan that is not precise!
I there
s a major conspiracy involved and Indians are into this. Indians attack Americans and the Americans believe its us (Pakistanis). This is because majority of militant attacks have pakistani connection, for ex:Indonesian, Philippines, Chinese, Kashmiri, Chechan, & western militants.So now, America stops Aids, exports (50% goes to US & West), IMF loans, & Bomb us. So, what will happen to Pakistan? If they bomb our dams, powerhouses, bridges, & we`ll go into dark age (with no powersupply, which is already bleak). Zaid Hamid must come out with a new security report.
There is a win-win scenario they can come out with, if they are wise: 1. Reject US pressure, announce that Pakistan will not start a war-front in North Waziristan. Pakistan's political and military leadership should announce that all agreements allowing drone attacks etc. are null and void from this day onwards. 2. Sincerely decide to not allow Pakistan's territory to be used against ANY country (including Afghanistan, Iran, China, India, USA, et al). In order to achieve that, Pakistan's political leadership, army and ISI will do everything in their capacity to regain control and sovereignty over its ENTIRE territory including North Waziristan. If Haqqanis and Afghan Taliban are our putative friends, then they should be convinced to move out of Pakistan, since they and their peers in Afghanistan have 'liberated' more than 50% of the country. If they refuse to move out, then not just the US but entire world (including China) will not be happy to see a continuing extremist safe haven in Pakistan. Even TTP will continue to thrive and prosper. We will need to make them move out one way or other. 3. As for TTP, LeJ, SSP, and LeT -well, the leadership needs to decide on new tough unified strategy that deals with them in four stages: Better Intelligence to break their organizations and cells, Better Law Enforcement and Prosecution (This will require new legislation and special powers on war footing), Better and Decisive Action when required, and finally when we are in a winning position, we can negotiate with the remaining elements with only two preconditions: they will lay down their arms, and they will respect the constitution of Pakistan. 4. Finally, the APC needs to decide that the long-term future of Pakistan is secure only if we can get Pakistan out of these conflicts and focus on education and economic development. In one generation our country can transform itself (like Malaysia, China, Turkey, Singapore, South Korea...) if we focus on education and economic development as a priority over and above everything else. Even militarily we will be more powerful if we are economically strong. The army will have more resources in the long run if in the short run it sacrifices its budget in favor or massive educational and economic thrust (Imagine: 10% of the current 175 Billion Dollar economy versus even 6% of a Trillion Dollar economy).
The above will take real leadership and is the best hope for the country out of this quagmire, not the customary US bashing and empty slogans like 'ham ghaas kha kar zinda reh lain gey' or hoping that China/Iran/Saudi Arabia will somehow drag Pakistan out of our own created mess.
If everyone talked to each other without any reservation that's a good sign for future of Pakistan. After all PPP was looking for such opportunity for a long time. Hopefully they all decide to bring local extremism and hostile comments to an end instead of using this opp for political coalition activity.
Here's a few items they should put on the discussion agenda. . 1) Why are we allowing terrorist sanctuary within Pakistan - what's the strategic goal?. 2) Who actually controls the ISI? 3) Who actually controls the military? 4) Is it appropriate for the military to determine foreign policy? 5) Why didn't we prepare an adequate emergency plan for flooding? 6) Why didn't we have a proper mosquito abatement program in place? 7) Do we want the USA as an ally or enemy? 8) What do we do if the USA stops all financial aid? 9) What do we do if the USA stops trade with Pakistan? 10) What do we do if the USA stops remittances from expatriates? 11) What do we do if the USA imposes sanctions? 12) Why so long before meaningful action was taken on Karachi? 13) Who was helping OBL hide inside Pakistan and what happened to the investigation? 14) Why don't we have these meetings on a regular basis?
@umer: to be precise, Unity, Faith and Discipline in INCOMPETENCE, CORRUPTION, UNPROFESSIONALISM
its a real democratic step to bring concenses among all parties to show strength and a will power to counter US presssure ...... keep it up PAKISTAN
Instead of calling Army commanders, Gilani should have called some intelligent economists to the meeting. US can cripple Pak without firing a single shot, just by squeezing the remittance route and causing a run on Pak Rupee. You need economists these days, not military leaders !!
Poor Afghanistan whose fate is decided in other countries. It should be Afghanistan to decide whether to talk with the talibs or Pakistan? who is the decision maker?
Politicians of both countries are trying face saving by accusing each other. They are one and this all is a big drama as they used to do earliers. The real problem of both countries is economy. USA economy is suffering due to wars (Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan) and Pakistan economy is suffering from 'black imperialists' who have taken national wealth to foreign countries by plundering. People must have understood them by now. Both countries have elections in coming year and their popularity graph is at lowest now. They are making their citizens fool and trying to take them away from actual problems.
What a joke...will they now decide to make another commission to come to a conclusion??? Stop lying to us, you cant survive without their money and you cant fight the haqqani's fearing a nasty back lash. So now you will allow US soldiers to carry out black operations in FATA and then put on a big show and cry about how you have been betrayed and this is against your rights. I just wish you guys could use all that genius to some good use, rather than playing munipulative psycological games with us.
The APC should ask Mr. COAS if Haqqani network is being supported by ISI.
The country needs to know the truth.
If ISI supports haqqani, then we need to know why ?
if it does no support this group, the USA should be told to do what ever it feels like and we Pakistani's will give our lives, and lives of parents and children, but not bow to the pressure of the Zionists and their agenda
The military and ISI have already made a unilateral decision on this matter - so whats the point of having a joint meeting of all the political parties. Chest thumping and anti American rhetoric may distract the public for a while - but the core issue maybe obvious - the military and ISI set the foreign policy of Pakistan - not the civilian government.
This type of "UNITY" we want from our political leadership in future too.
While you have all the parties together why not bring up the subject of the "missing in action" Abbottabad Commission. Your almost into October and they haven't even interviewed the ISI yet - no wonder the International Community believes this Commission is a sham.
I wish this should be a turning point in the history of Pakistan's politics as well as a u turn in relations with Washington. The Foreign Office may now determine their Foriegn Policy with US and the relations should be based on equality.
UNITY FAITH DISCIPLINE
Expect loads of jingoism. Less of logical discussion.