At a meeting called and chaired by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the defence committee of the cabinet (DCC) decided to continue blocking Nato supplies through Pakistan. The committee also strongly refuted the US and Nato’s official version of the November 26 attacks, according to credible sources.
The DCC met to discuss post-Mohmand attack scenarios and the Pak-US relationship in detail. According to sources, the US will be asked to pay compensation to the families of the Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives in the cross-border air strikes.
The DCC rejected the report compiled by US and Nato officials, terming the findings unjustifiable and looking into ways to present their side of the story. “Members of the committee suggested that the report finalised by Pakistani military officials will be shared with the US and made public,” a source said.
According to some of those present, a tense atmosphere prevailed and no pleasantries were exchanged beyond discussing the topics on the agenda.
“The military side mostly remained tight-lipped and gave very little input during the meeting. An otherwise quiet army chief was even quieter today,” a source told The Express Tribune.
PM Gilani, in his opening statement, said that Pakistan’s honour, integrity and sovereignty are non-negotiable. He added that there is complete harmony on all issues of national interest and that the government would continue to work to strengthen all institutions.
The DCC has also, according to the PM, finalised its proposals following the Nato airstrikes. He said that ties with Isaf and the US are being reviewed in line with these recommendations, adding that the national security committee will also present its conclusions and its recommendations will be considered by parliament.
The PM spoke of unity – but also reiterated the need to stay with one’s remit. He said that each organ and state institution has to play its due role, within its respective domain.
To dispel the impression of a rift with the army, the PM somewhat glorified the armed forces, describing them as the “pillar of the nation’s resilience and strength”, according to sources. On the other hand, he said that civil institutions have their due role to play in socio-economic development.
Above all, the ‘common good’ of Pakistanis was the focus of Gilani’s comments.
The meeting was attended by senior members of the cabinet along with Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and other top military brass.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th, 2012.
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Pakistan has always given the most, sacrificed the most, lost the most. The reason Pakistan still gets the blame and disrespect is because its leaders don't represent the feeling of its people on the world forum. Pakistanis themselves are afraid or too dumb to make themselves heard on the world stage or loud enough and repeatedly. Pakistan has no idea how to market itself to the West. Its Embassies and Consulates do nothing to bring your voice to countries they sit in. I see no change. When you get no rightful respect then you have to demand it.
its about time that pakistan began to look after its own interests rather some one elses, the worse decision made by a pakistani dictator was to back the usa when the soviets invaded afghanistan.. however that does not detract from the fact that for all of pakistan's sacrfices it has lost more than any other country other in this so called war on terror.. i seem to recall the americans strarting the blame game not too long ago and then the bbritish with their so called documentary on the bbc about the duplicity of pakistan.. but as i say in all the hype and lies from the various camps its always forgotten the sacrifices of the pakistanis and the insurgencies which have been encouraged by the various so called friends of pakistann... best advice to pakistan stay away from friends who only know how to blame others when the dust settles,,,, final point funny how the indians seem to have a lot to say on the problems which are currently besetting pakistan.
I would say it is safe to assume that PAK is no longer an ally of the US or NATO. Good luck with that decision going forward.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: You better hope it's not the same as every other attempt you've made. I honestly can't think of any past action you can be proud of enough to say such a thing. You've never won anything and you've always had the element of surprise by being the aggressor without declaring anything publicly or to the target of your hostility beforehand. Don't give me the soviet crap. The US backing allowed you to win that and now you act like you're just as capable when not only subtracting that much stronger backing you needed, but now targeting them which translates to fighting with sticks and stones against even more improved weaponry you don't get to play with this time. Nobody will be there to come to your rescue, either.
@Salman......no he is an Indian......its more than obvious
He said what was asked to be read, the poor Prime Minister gave up principle to the 'might' but Asma Jehangir stood up to that principle. We got some good brave ladies but yet to see a man acting like a man. Why not just be straight and get rid of terrorism from our midst and there wont be a problem of sovereignty. We have to learn respecting others sovereignty first to be respected in return.
Who says that Army is not the real boss.
Prime Minister Gilani speaks a lot about Pakistan's "Sovereignty" but he does not know the meaning of the word
@Roflcopter: you have it backwards. The drones are righteous, and they KILL the terrorists. In other news, the earth is round, the sky is blue, and the fanatics are evil.
Jadaugar; RIGHT YOU ARE
Like the picture, boots have their heads down.
Dear PM. Please stop talking about Pakistan's "Sovereignty" unless this word means something else to you. Which top institution of Pakistan once again quietly allowing Drones from another country to attack on Pakistan soil. Since no statements against these latest Drone attacks have come from a) The Executive b) The Parliament c) The Military d) The Judiciary I have to assume that all of these institutions are on board with the resumption of these Drone attacks. I believe only the 180 million Pakistanis are in the dark about this or the present government is not representing the people of Pakistan.
@Cautious: r u American ?
pathetic
i think Govt. is playing good game
Yeah right --- I suppose that Abbottabad, Balochistan, and the tribal territories don't fit your definition of "space". The American's had it right when they said that they would judge Pakistan based on actions rather than words.
DCC should take appropriate steps to stop the drone attacks as well as interference of foreign powers into country’s affairs.
There is no doubt that the entire nation is standing behind our armed forces and when the time will come every one in the world will see what role the nation is going to play in the testing times.
Mr. PM, Only thing Pakistan has Sacrificed is their Duplicity, sitting on the fence, and making brave noises, while actual involvement has been negligible , at the same time collecting US Aid ! In regards to the Sovereignty! Where is your Sovereignty in NW , Tribal regions etc.... Where was it, when US sent in a team to take out OBL???? Where has it been during hundreds of Drone Strikes? Which incidently you and your Army have not only allowed but endorsed, as you are incapable of dealing with your Assets and guests, and yet for public consumption you keep complaining !!! This is a farce! This charade has to come to an end. In meantime you keep making statements about the 35-40,000 lives lost in this war! These innocent lives were not lost on borders of Afghanistan, but sadly in your own towns and cities, caused by your own proxiies or assets ! So time to come clean as your time is running out ! What is it going to be ? As you or your party are simply not likely to get amandate to run the Country, again ! One prays that its for long time too, as to the mess you have created in an Nation, which actually was on sound footing and making progress!!!
What kind of politics plying by Gilani Sb, One day he said against army, other day change his tune. I still don't understand the tune of lair politicians. Army and judiciary are our Supreme institutions. How we wll trust of leaders? Plz Gilani and his team, don't play wrong game with the army. U r talking about democracy, but wt kind of democracy u r talking. We want justice, peace and employment in our country. So, u r failed. So tell me, is it democracy?
The Armed Forces should be under the authority of the elected Govt. provided the elected Reps are capable of defending the sovereignity of Pakistan from foreign dominance and interest of the country. Till these politicians don't have "Pakistan First" and not their "pockets" I would support the Army in the subject of defence.
"no space would be given to terrorism." So why allow terrorist drone attacks?
Is Army Behind The Parliament, even if not fully?