Harsh diplomacy: Back off, Gilani warns Karzai
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has taken exception to the Afghan president’s apparent cutting comments about Pakistan, and added that Pakistan would not compromise on its sovereignty at any cost.
He also hailed the success of the recently-held All Parties Conference – and said it was because of the unity on display there that the US had toned down its rhetoric.
“If [Afghan President] Hamid Karzai has any misunderstandings over security issues or other issues in Pakistan, he should talk to us – but we will not let him interfere in our internal affairs or the sovereignty of Pakistan,” Gilani said, addressing the Multan-Faisalabad highway inauguration ceremony on Saturday.
The premier added that if ‘people have been misguiding’ Karzai, blaming Pakistan was not the way to reach a solution. At the same time, he said, “We are ready to help him over security and intelligence issues and I will personally help him with whatever queries he has regarding these issues.” Grievances can only be repaired through negotiations and sharing information, he stated.
All Parties Conference
Speaking about the All Parties Conference (APC), PM Gilani revealed that it was his initiative to call such a meeting so that even those with minor representation had a participatory role. It was the APC that resulted in the US changing its stance and backing away from supporting Former Admiral Mullen’s statements, the premier said.
“We all are united in Pakistan and we have now conveyed this message to the world [through the APC]. We are grieved over the death of Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was a great friend of Pakistan”. But at the same time, he added, Pakistan will not compromise on its sovereignty and peace would be achieved on mutual terms.
Speaking of the need for consensus, the PM said, “All political parties are invited to dispel the grievances of other parties and communities of Pakistan. Some have earlier had differences with the military establishment and former president Pervez Musharraf and they had not participated in the previous elections.” Now, however, was the time to have a united Pakistan, he stated.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2011.
COMMENTS (33)
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@Ghaznavi: What a shameful and evil ideology! You think Afghans are your slaves or what?
Karzai knows he is a 'dead man walking', his time will be up before he knows it. He better make good use of his last few days in this temporary abode...
Glass Afghanistan.
Pakistan warns!!!. Don't even know how to use language properly. Pakistan warns America, Russia, India, Afghanistan and the whole world. Everybody in the world trembling in their boots because Pakistan warns. Then they are on their knees begging. Someone should tutor the Pakistani politicians on proper etiquette and to speak properly.
Mullen remarks as outgoing Chief of the US Armed Forces were to keep him alive even after his departure from the scene and nothing else.
I wish Mullen a happy retired life with his family members and friends.
A lack of diplomatic skill combined with a questionable policy of using "strategic assets" appears to have resulted in having poor relations with your neighbors on both your Eastern and Western borders. Maybe it's time to choose a different path.
@Najeeb
When the russians invaded Afghanistan and were killing Afghans like Ants, its was not until Pakistan interferred and helped our Afghan brothers against the Russians that eventually led to the breakup of the Soviet Republic.
And the same goes for the current American invasion, my dear Afghan brother ;)
Pakistan should not be "warning" Afghanistan. Lets hope they are not offended. After dashing the hopes of 2 super powers, taking on Pakistan would be a walk in the park for Afghanistan.
Who ever will give Karzai more Karza he will speak his language.
@Gul bahadur, You have spoken like a true patriotic pakistani!
Welldone PM Gillani..... this is the only way to talk to Pakistan's enemies.... May Allah give you the courage to address USA in the same way. Karzai is a puppet playing in American and Indian's hand.
I don't suggest Karzai to say such words.Really harsh. Though I love the stance Gillani has taken since some days. Pakistan Zindabad!
@Mushtaq Ali Jafri:
who accapt US kill hunderds of thousands of muslim and he still say we are right
Pakistan after the American episode has started bullying its neighbors which may not pay them in the long run. The country may be further isolated from the rest of the world by its hobnobbing with terror organisations which itself a self-destructive policy.
A weak Afghanistan is most dangerous for Pakistan. Hope Pakistanis understand this simple fact. Weak Afghanistan will remain home to all the trouble makers of the world. Rest assured these troubles will spill into Pakistan the way it has been for last so many years. Whole world knows that Pakistan has been interfering in Afghan affairs since mid 70s. This is costing Pakistan dearly. Pakistan will never progress with unfriendly Afghanistan, suspecting Iran and unfriendly India as neighbors. Rest is up to Pakistan how he wants to go about doing business with rest of the world. Non state actors will harm Pakistan much more than anyone else.
@bytes... as we invaded our own people in FATA at behest of U.S. lets invade afghanistan at behest of U.S again... after all we pay all our taxes to build 7 lakh army n nukes to protect the U.S interests in the region... n we doing the job well, just that recognition is a little less from our little masters =)
@pinky: Americans cant feel that way.we have some weight and we are unlike Afghanistan,Iraq,etc.even if we are ruined in war with them,they existence will also be in great danger
Both are helpless and cluless.Our public is confused and taken over by the economic realities.No one is really bothered by the war taking place in Afghanistan and KP.Our long hour load shedding ,our daily bombing and our economic vows have made our lives miserable.Only the Media Anchormen talk about these non issues ,as they can't discuss the real issues.Please talk about the real problems and leave us alone.
Dear Commenter:
Hamid Karzau trying to threaten Pakistan sounds like a joke (latifa). Pakistan should invade and capture Afghanistan in a week and send all Afghan refugees back to their homeland. Enough is enough
My Comments:
You can look at the past and review that you guys were our servants and we have defeated empires like RUSSIA which however you are(Pakistan) nothing.
However; we Muslim (Pakistan and Afghanistan) should be united, at least the public like you and me and let the government settle these matters in a peaceful environment.
Att: Nothing personal but only a friends' comment;
unless the landlocked Afghanistan has stumbled upon a sea in its courtyard, i think its really foolish of karzai to lock horns with Pakistan.. arent the bulk of their exports/imports managed through our ports??
ps: so thats how America feels when we bicker with them ;p
BACK OFF !!! That is the only language they understand!!!
Hamid Karzau trying to threaten Pakistan sounds like a joke (latifa). Pakistan should invade and capture Afghanistan in a week and send all Afghan refugees back to their homeland. Enough is enough
Time to block suspend container shipments to Afghanistan.
Admiral Mullen cannot contain the Taliban n blame Pakistan for American failure. the American could not even secure their spy network.The attack on Nato n American embassy was just a sample. America is suppose to help us fight the terrorist.
Both Gilani and Karzai need to come out of these blame-games. There are street protests going in Wall Streets. American hegemonic plans will never succeed. The Muslim nations need to see through this conspiracy which is making them fight against one another. Karzai and Gilani should shake hands and work constructively.