Khar informed Clinton that a deep sense of rage was felt across Pakistan at the loss of 24 soldiers due to the Nato attack on the Pakistani post in Mohmand Agency. She also stressed that such attacks are “totally unacceptable”.
She informed Secretary Clinton about DCC decisions to stop Nato supply routes and that the US should vacate the Shamsi airbase within 15 days.
“The attacks are in stark violation of Pakistani sovereignty,” said the foreign minister, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
"This negates the progress made by the two countries on improving relations and forces Pakistan to revisit the terms of engagement," Khar said.
Secretary of State Clinton condoled with the foreign minister about the loss of life. She said that she was deeply saddened by the event. She conveyed the US government's desire to work with Pakistan to resolve this issue.
US promises full investigation
The Obama administration on Saturday pledged a full investigation into a Nato attack that allegedly killed 24 Pakistani troops.
Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta offered their "deepest condolences" for the loss of life in the cross-border incident in Pakistan in a joint statement. They also said they "support fully Nato's intention to investigate immediately."
According to the statement, Secretary Clinton, Gen Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen John Allen, commander of the Nato-led coalition forces in Afghanistan, each called their Pakistani counterparts as well.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter also met with Pakistani government officials in Islamabad.
"In their contacts, these US diplomatic and military leaders each stressed -- in addition to their sympathies and a commitment to review the circumstances of the incident -- the importance of the US-Pakistani partnership, which serves the mutual interests of our people," the statement said.
"All these leaders pledged to remain in close contact with their Pakistani counterparts going forward as we work through this challenging time," the statement concluded.
Pakistan approaches Britain
The British Foreign Secertary William Hague was also informed of the DCC's decisions on Nato supply routes and the Shamsi airbase closure by Khar.
Expressing his sympathy, Hague termed the attack an "untoward incident" and extended solidarity with Pakistan.
An early Saturday morning attack by Nato helicopters killed at least 24 security personnel and injured 12 soldiers on a Pakistani check post in Salala, which is located in the Tehsil Bayzai area of Mohmand Agency on the Pak-Afghan border.
The United States has been told by the Pakistani military leadership to evacuate a logistically key airbase it operates in Balochistan – Shamsie Airbase – within 15 days. In addition, Pakistan’s fury was driven home with an official statement that it will shut down Nato supply routes operating through its territory – something that has happened for the first time, though supply routes have previously been temporarily blocked unofficially following similar attacks.
The decisions came following a meeting of the high-powered cabinet committee on defence – a panel that includes the prime minister, the service chiefs and key ministers.
COMMENTS (54)
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@Papa Kayani: "Don’t be naive. Pakistan has no friends. The whole world – China included – looks at your country with nothing less than alarm or hostility. " It used to be alarm or hostility; now the word is "contempt"! @Mariam.b: "As I said payback is a beach" Could you clarify what you actually mean by that phrase? Evidently it is some sort of a threat. To take that threat seriously, it must be clearly understood.
How about a damn apology, Mrs Clinton? You are very quick to complain about the deaths of Americans and even start wars, but do you think Pakistani blood is cheap?
Think and you shall know why Pakistanis are such difficult customers...
The NATO air raid went on for 2 hours. Why dis PAF not respond? And what if Americans refuse to vacate Shamsi?
The politicians here are so corrupt and spineless that they might rather start an armed skirmish with India than demand a trial of the Nato commanders involved. Brave soldiers are sacrificed by toothless generals and politicians.
Everyone on this thread who said that the lives of these soldiers don't matter should be shamed of themselves. Every single one of them soldiers had lives, families, dreams and futures....just like the rest of us. To all those saying that the death of these soldiers means nothing, you are a disgrace to humanity.
@Hedgefender You hurt us we'll hurt u back As I said payback is a beach
PAKISTAN has to announce that we fire ATOMIC BOMB on the country/ countries if their solidiers again attacked Pakistan without any negotiation. The only matter to the solution.
If the same casualties were the result of a drone attack then there would have been no protest either by Army or Government. Shame on these policy makers.
@mariam.b: LOL ! Now why am i not surprised !!! Is this the best response you have to offer !!! Dream on and watch mayhem in your own back yard, and then i will worry about my island in Europe !!!!
@hedgefunder Dont worry brother we'll take your empire down with us You should tell your President to issue nuclear biological kits to your civilians coz Pay back is a beach :p
Pakistan needs Aid, US needs action against Terrorists. Pakistan needs them too! US needs routes, Pakistan needs Aid, again. Something has to give.
I cant wait for 2014. US will no doubt sanction Pakistan.
Hqqani group getting shelter in Pakistan wants a rift between Pakistan and US and for this aim they can create a situation to generate hate against NATO . Try to understand the motive of these terrorist groups and finish them for ever to save the sovereinignity of the country .
@ THE
Don't be naive. Pakistan has no friends. The whole world - China included - looks at your country with nothing less than alarm or hostility.
@Nina Akbar: If only there were few more enlightened people like yourself in Pakistan, who are willing to accept facts rather than being concerned about their Ghairat!!! As Ghairat does not feed them ! AID does !
@Khurram Mansoor: I would be more worried about your Govt's means of survival without Aid, than about my Govt going bankrupt at present !!!!
Actions in next few days will determine Pakistan,s future course. even if Kayani does not take actions, young Army officers should take over and decide things as per Pakistan,s National interests.
USA is still awaiting Pakistani dossier on this attack. The proof provided so far will not stand up to even minimal scrutiny in a court of law in USA.
@ jagijit sidhoo!! Gratitude !!!! my heart is burning
crush them all.
@r p: 24 young men have died that was a heartless comment . If u can not show sympathy the least u can do is do not pass these snide comments
@H.A. Khan: Not only is it in US use, this is the third time that its been demanded back.
HatTrick I would say:)
@rp, may be you should use alias, rip, since that describes your intellect and humanity better.
Please don't confuse Indians with Americans. RP is no American. My heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families. Wait for the investigation to complete. This was a NATO/ISAF strike so don't immediately think that this was an American operation.
Try and suspend judgement for a few days.
America is a bully and everyone knows that it never profits to be friends with a bully. Maximum action should be taken to avenge the death of these soliders.
@r p: Let me guess Bollywood fan boy?
The high number casualties is deeply regrettable and the Pakistani public has all the reasons in the world to condemn the killings. It's also understandable that the political establishment in Islamabad is angry at the ISAF. At the same time it is capitalising on this incident to flex its muscles. It wants to settle the score with the U.S. after the humiliation in Abottabad last May and aims at getting a better deal in future negotiations.
@rp, you are a shameless, heartless, person. ET please post this.
Now comment on the news. Should it not have been that Clinton call Khar too express condolences?
@Has: do the same against pakistan based hundreds of terrorist organizations and their thousands of camps. how nato can differentiate paki military officers among thousands of militants in that area? if you have guts, do it.
Where has minister Rabani been, during the memogate affair?? Nice to see that she is back and making statements, as absurd as ever !!! Does she really think that Washington even cares as to her views and opinions ???
@r p: You sir, are completely delusional and I suppose after nuking 200,000 innocent civilians, america deserves hails of flowers hmm? i hate it when americans try to talk about morals
@Iftikhar-ur-Rehman: Do you really think that stopping the supply route is going to bother NATO/ISAF ?? Think again, as there is already a northern supply route in operation since June 2011 !!!
Pakistanis must show unity on this issue of national security. Blame game must be stopped. stop junk messaging in front of international community. Take a united stand as a NATION that we PAKISTANIS condemns all that attacks done by US-NATO-ISAF to the Pakistani Soil. we should also seek sorry and confirmation and assurance by the Afghan Karzai Government that no attacks will be done on PAKISTAN at any cost from the Afghan soil.... I also request to PAKISTANI intellectuals that arise this stupid and non ethical act of attacking on PAKISTAN on socila networks like face-book, yahoo groups, twitter and nws papers and oter networking platforms to show strength and shout about the national sovereignty.... Stop Attacking......................
alliance, we need to check the definition!
So Shamsi base was in US use?
Although we never won a war against India, but we will teach Nato a lesson!
I think that in reality, Khar apologised to Her Highness Clinton.
Sorry Mrs Clinton, our troops shouldn't have been here.
Sorry, Sorry, Sorry.
Extremely non- senses the "condemning" by US. killing 24 solidiers -- attack by nato on Pakistan -- are just on the order of their defense officials,by US president, by haliary & other who are condemning these attacks in US. Wake.....Wake... Wake....Its a time for the people of Pakistan to block the nato supply lines forever with National flag and banners-- "Let's do good for Pakistan" -- in their hands & slogan "Allah Akbar Pakistan Zindabad"
@r p: Nato will surely suffer the consequences of this attack and then Pakistan would have done no wrong. We are a responsible nation and I think the Govt of Pakistan is taking the right steps at this time by closing off the Nato supply line etc. They should kick out any Nato personnel in Pakistan and exert pressure through friendly countries like Turkey, China and Britain etc.
Blood Money should be extracted from the US & NATO.
REGRETS & APOLOGY should not be accepted by any Pakistani and any leader in Pakistan.
Pakistan should break their teeth and bring the culprits into Pakistan and hand them publicly. So that everyone know that Pakistani people and its soldiers blood is not cheap.
I do agree that NATO terminal should be block permanently.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar spoke to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton early Sunday morning to inform the US government of the decisions made by the Defence Coordination Committee regarding the Nato attack on a Pakistani checkpost.
Hilary Clinton : So What? dont waste my time khar !
pakistan has been paid for it .nato has done no wrong
This time "REGRETS & APOLOGY" trick won't work with Pakistan . It is good that NATO supply routes have been shut down, also Pakistan should block the terminal at the port where these supplies are off loaded from the ships.
I thought Pakistan was a "major non-NATO ally"?
Pakistan should bomb all bases near to Pakistan border as well ask for the arrest of NATO commanders to stand trial in Pakistan.