ISLAMABAD : The military leadership on Friday gave comprehensive briefing to the
members of the parliament in an in-camera session about different
aspects of Abbottabad operation, emphasizing the need for complete
support of the nation to the armed forces at this critical juncture.
Director-General Military Operations, Deputy Air Chief and
Director-General ISI briefed the parliament which was followed by
question-answer session.
In an interview, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr.
Firdous Ashiq Awan said in his opening remarks, Prime Minister Syed
Yusuf Raza Gilani reassured the nation that national solidarity and
sovereignty would never be compromised at any cost.
He pointed out that there was dire need for the entire nation to
extend fullest possible support to the armed forces and all those
security agencies that are engaged in war on terror.
The Prime Minister asked all political parties and parliamentarians
not to criticize army or our agencies and political point scoring could
endanger solidarity of the country.
The Information Minister said first the DG Military Operations
shared ground realities that existed on 2nd of this month and response
of the armed forces reacted to the Abbottabad incident, adding that the
US has latest technology and this technology is not with any other
country of the world.
The Deputy Air Chief briefed the parliamentarians about radar system
and said it was fully functional on that date but could not detect
American helicopters because of the latest stealth technology that is
in use by the United States.
The Director-General ISI Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha said
enemies of Pakistan wanted to create gap between political government
and military authorities. He said referred to criticism by some
individuals and circles and said instead of criticizing the armed
forces and intelligence agencies, they should play a supportive role
for those who laid immense sacrifices for the cause of the country.
The DG ISI pointed out that ever since inception of Pakistan, the
ISI got its role acknowledged because of its superb performance and
capabilities. Its performance was even appreciated internationally
especially in the context of war on terror and arrest of high value
targets.
He informed the in-camera meeting that through successful
operations, the ISI had broken the back of Al-Qaeda. He said Osama was
rendered irrelevant even during his life time because all of his
important colleagues and aides were arrested by ISI.
The DG ISI said Osama Bin Laden was a common target but the United
States acted unilaterally and carried out operation keeping Pakistan in
darkness despite the fact that leads given by ISI were used by
Americans for the purpose.
The Information Minister said the military authorities assured the
joint session that Pakistan’s nuclear assets were safe and there was no
cause for concern. They said our strategic assets were not at one
specific location but scattered in different parts of the country and
well-guarded and protected. Highly sensitive and latest security system
was in place to guard against any security threat.
Referring to threats being hurled by India, the parliamentarians
were told that the Government and armed forces were fully geared to
meet any challenge to the security and solidarity of the country.
Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said the DG ISI told the parliament that he
was ready to present himself before parliament or any inquiry
commission for accountability. He said if as a result of inquiry it is
established that there was any deliberate lapse then the ISI was ready
to face the consequences.
He, however, pointed out that even if there was any negligence then
it is also to be shared by other federal and provincial agencies.
Fingers should not be raised to a single institution and instead of
blame game we should demonstrate complete unity to promote and defend
national interests. SANA
