Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the elected Government
would go for new rules of engagement and agreements if cooperation in
the war on terror is to continue with the United States and NATO, adding
that the decision of not attending the Bonn conference is final.
He was responding to questions in the Prime Minister Online programme of Pakistan Television on Thursday.
The Prime Minister said the matter has already been referred to the
Parliamentary Committee on National Security and its recommendations
would be debated in the joint sitting of the parliament.
Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said he would brief the Parliamentary Committee tomorrow along with members of his team on the issue of NATO attacks and Memo issue as well as other important matters.
Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said he would brief the Parliamentary Committee tomorrow along with members of his team on the issue of NATO attacks and Memo issue as well as other important matters.
Responding to a question the Prime Minister said the decision not to
attend the Bonn Conference was final. Asked whether it would not have
been better to avail the opportunity to present the country’s point of
view at the forum, he said the dignity, self-respect and honour of the
country and interests demanded that we should not attend a conference on
Afghanistan when our own integrity was not respected. He said being an
elected Government they have to respond to the aspirations of the
people.
The Prime Minister did not agree to the impression that the response
of Pakistan to NATO attacks showed that the country wanted to get rid of
the war on terror. He said the Government is committed to fight
terrorists who are working on foreign agenda. This war is our own war
but as for as cooperation with the United States and NATO is concerned
it would be reviewed in the light of recommendations of the
Parliamentary Committee and joint sitting of the parliament.
About memo issue, the Prime Minister said he had already referred it
to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security which is powerful
and where all parties incuding PML(N) have representation. He said as
per commitment made on the floor of the National Assembly, former
ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani was summoned and he gave
explanation to the leadership. He was asked to resign so that an
impartial inquiry into the issue is carried out.
To a question he said Hussain Haqqani would face inquiry and has no intention of leaving the country.
The Prime Minister told a caller that his programme
“Caravan-e-Tameer” would not only accelerate economic activities but
also create job opportunities for people.
Asked whether Chairman of the PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari could be
next Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said as Chairman he should
be. SANA
