"There is no change in our position vis-à-vis the Bonn conference," Abdul Basit, Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman, told Reuters after Obama spoke to President Asif Ali Zardari offering condolences over the strike.
Media reports had earlier cited diplomats in Washington stating that they were expecting a low level participation from Pakistan at the conference.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had earlier voiced regret over the decision because she said Pakistan had a stake in a secure and stable Afghanistan, but aides travelling with her denied Pakistan’s absence would undermine the conference.
The Nov 26 NATO air raid, which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, has added to strains in relations with Islamabad, whose cooperation Washington views as crucial to helping to stabilize the region before most foreign combat troops leave Afghanistan in 2014.
COMMENTS (19)
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what did Pakistan not do for afghanistan? pakistan, from the begining, is sincere with afghanistan for its politcal stability, peace and educational development. around 1.7 million refuges are still living in pakistan, who are currently regitered by UNHCR. ADDING TO this, pakistan played very important role in wor on terror in afghnianistan and has loss 40000 individuals. what should pak do more??
Bonn Conference is over,but Pakistan is changing her position.......read PM's lips!
Pakistan needs and should have good relations with the west and in particular the USA. And to all the US bashers, who would you prefer to rule the world? Russia, Japan, Germany, UK or perhaps china. Let the history be the judge. US may not be perfect but they're better than anyone else to be the supreme power. Look at Bosnia. Muslims are almost(if not already) the second biggest religion in America. Not to forget how they've, as innovators changed the world in a handful of decades.
@ Ejaz, the same remarks we heard, when Saddam and Qaddafi were in power. Ahmede is not even on radar. The real rulers of Iran are Mullahs. His bragging is to get some attention. Keep on enjoying.
"Let us not kneel down any more. The day we will leave America, I am confident that terrorist’s activities in Pakistan will also come to an end."
" don’t you know who is biggest terrorist country – only Ahmade Nejad of Iran is brave enough to say it aloud."
Fill in the blank:
"___ is a pathetic, conniving nation too spineless to back off from petty hate-filled falsehoods that allow the corrupt elite to enrich themselves while reducing the common people to poverty."
Pakistan is doing the right thing by boycotting the conference !!! Good luck Pakistan, we Indians support you unconditionally on your position !!! Pakistan Zindabad !!!
@Ch Allah Daad: Dream on, Iran is not Iraq or Lybia pal. If it was like Lybia or Iraq, terrorists would have attacked her by now. Even Iran is attacked, I am sure she will return a much bigger blow to bullies; so keep your negative thoughts to yourself.
@Umair: Yawn! Go back to cave my dear friend
It's called pouting - grow up.
Finally some strength being shown, i hope it continues and we get out of this war InshaAllah
A very graceful decision by Pakistan at last. May the Lord give them the strength to combat bullies of the world. Hats off to Iranian government and Army for downing US drone yesterday. Pakistan may get some encouragement that the bully's technology is not invinceable.
I have been saying right from the very beginning that we should not attend the Boon conference and the decision of the Government of Pakistan is according to the aspiration of its citizens.
Let us not kneel down any more.
The day we will leave America, I am confident that terrorist’s activities in Pakistan will also come to an end.
We have already lost 40,000 people and the figure of the people who have been killed in the terrorist’s attacks due to siding with the US is more than enough to believe that it was due to US that we lost so many precious human lives.
We must try to understand one point that we can definitely live in this world without taking any military or civilian support from US or any other country.