No more business as usual between Pakistan and US, says Gilani

Gilani says Pakistan can only work with US on mutual respect, mutual interest.

ISLAMABAD: Following the ‘unprovoked’ attack by NATO forces on Pakistani border checkposts, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani warned the United States, that their relations had gone south and that 'business as usual will not be there’ now.

Talking to CNN on Monday, Gilani dodged the question of whether relations with US had gone past a point of return, said that the only scenario in which the two countries could continue their relation was if they worked on the principles of mutual respect and mutual interest, which he was not getting from the Americans at the moment.

“If I cannot protect the sovereignty of my country how can I say it is on mutual respect.”

Asked about a solution to continue the stumbling, yet vital alliance, Gilani said that there needs to be bigger assurance from the US, though he did not specify the nature of that concession from the Americans.

“We need to have something bigger to satisfy my nation,” he said, pointing out that the war could only be won by winning the fast souring hearts and minds of the Pakistani people, “for that I have referred to the leadership of my government, members of the parliamentary committee to advise.”

The Prime Minister also said Pakistan is yet to decide, whether to boycott next month's Bonn conference.