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| Nation unites to defend sovereignty |
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Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Consensus on security matters; APC condemns Mumbai attacks; laments unsubstantiated Indian charges; offers cooperation in probe
By Asim Yasin
ISLAMABAD: Political parties and leaders of all shades of opinion on Tuesday showed complete solidarity with the government on the issue of national security and firmly supported the government and the armed forces in defending Pakistan’s security interests.
The conference on national security, chaired by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister’s House, was attended by heads of more than 58 political parties of the country, including those in the ruling coalition and the opposition.
The conference, which lasted more than five hours, issued a seven-point declaration, stating that the leaders and representatives of the political parties of Pakistan unanimously condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
It stated that the people of Pakistan share the grief of the people of India and extend sympathies to the families of the victims. The declaration expressed the unwavering resolve of the Pakistani nation to defend its honour and dignity as well as Pakistan’s sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity.
It said all the political parties and democratic forces firmly support the government and the armed forces of Pakistan in defending Pakistan’s security interests. The statement expressed Pakistan’s abhorrence of any act of violence perpetrated against innocent persons.
It said the political parties took strong exception to the unsubstantiated allegations made in haste against Pakistan and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to pursue constructive engagement with India in a comprehensive manner with a view to building confidence and mutual trust for establishing friendly and good-neighbourly relations with India on the basis of settlement of all outstanding disputes. It also stated that the prime minister lauded the unequivocal support extended to the government on the matter of national security by political parties across the country.
Meanwhile, talking to newsmen outside the Prime Minister’s House at the conclusion of the conference, Information Minister Sherry Rehman and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the all-parties conference signified the power and unity of Pakistan’s democracy. The information minister said that all parties stand united in supporting the elected government in dealing with any regional problem.
Responding to queries of newsmen, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the entire political leadership of the country has shown great political maturity. “At the same time, I also appreciate the role of the Pakistani media, which acted responsibly while the Indian media jumped to hasty conclusions,” he added.
The foreign minister said Pakistan is willing to fully cooperate with India in the investigation of the Mumbai attacks. “Pakistan’s approach is positive and the Indian leadership should also adopt a responsible attitude,” he added.
He termed terrorism a major challenge and a common enemy that needed to be tackled through joint efforts. He said the region was passing through a critical phase and both sides needed to show tolerance, seriousness and patience and avoid finger-pointing.
He said the prevailing situation does not allow any irresponsible act by any side, adding there should be no blame game and finger-pointing from any side. He said Pakistan’s response and attitude was balanced and conciliatory. The foreign minister said the government of Pakistan has offered a joint investigative mechanism to probe the matter.
Responding to a question regarding the two letters received from India, he said India has not accused the government and state of Pakistan and it is a positive development. “We have replied to the letter received on November 29 and consultation on the second letter that was received the other day was going on and it would be responded soon,” he added.
Commenting on the recent statement by Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee regarding attack on Pakistan as being an option with India, the minister said India is backtracking from its previous statements. He said Pakistan desires good relations with India.
The composite dialogue process between Pakistan and India is progressing at a good pace and it is important that the two sides continue it, the minister said. Meanwhile, in his inaugural address Prime Minister Gilani said there is complete unanimity of views among all political parties and the message has been conveyed to the world that the Pakistani nation is united to safeguard its national interests and territorial integrity of Pakistan.
The prime minister said the conference has been convened with a view to creating “political consensus” on the situation in the wake of the Mumbai mayhem and the Indian allegations against Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Adviser on National Security Mehmud Ali Durrani also briefed the leaders on the situation in the wake of attacks in Mumbai. Political leaders in their speeches urged the government to adopt such a stance that exhibits the will of the nation.
The participants included PML-N Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F), Sardar Atique Ahmad Khan (AJK PM), Dr Farooq Sattar and Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi (MQM); Haji Muhammad Adeel and Ms Bushra Gohar (ANP); Justice (retd) Abdul Razaq Thahim (PML-F); Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao (PPP-S); Haji Munir Khan Aurakzai (Fata); Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi (NPP); Mehmood Khan Achakzai (PkMAP); Sheikh Rashid Ahmad (PML-A); Syed Nusrat Ali Shan (TI); Tahir Bizenjo (BNP); Qazi Hussain Ahmed (JI); Israrullah Zehri (BNP Awami); Imran Khan (PTI); Prof Sajid Mir (Jamiat-e-Ahl-e Hadith); Allama Sajid Ali Naqvi (TNFJ); Dr Raheeq Abbasi (Tehreek-e-Minhaj-ul Quraan); Syed Shujat Ali Bukhari, (Pak Wattan Party); Maulana Samiul Haq (JUI-S); M Sarwat Ejaz Qadri (Sunni Tehrik), Haji Muhammad Hanif Tayyab (Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Islam), Qari Zawwar Bahadur (JUP-N); Rasool Bukhsh Palejo (Awami Tehreek) and Shahid Hassan Bugti (JWP).
Mian Raza Rabbani, Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, Ch Ahmad Mukhtar, Minister for Defence, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sherry Rehman, Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Farooq H Naek, Minister for Law & Justice, Rehman Malik, Adviser to PM on Interior, Shahbaz Bhatti, Minister for Minorities, Maj-Gen (retd) Mahmud Ali Durrani, Adviser on National Security, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Dr Babar Awan, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs also attended the meeting.
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Qureshi wants result-oriented dialogue with India
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Addressing a press conference at the airport here, h more |
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Mustafa Jatoi passes away
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He leaves behind six sons and three d more |
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Slaughter of animals, NRO beneficiaries begins on Eid
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ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) will soon announce its strategy to deal with the cases which are going to reopen on Nov 28, a NAB spokesman told The News on Friday.
“The NAB chairman more |
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WFP, Rescue 15 attacks’ mastermind arrested
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ISLAMABAD: The Capital Police on Friday arrested the mastermind behind the attacks on the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the Rescue 15 offices in Islamabad.
The terrorist, identified as Jamshed Ahmad more |
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Mushahid asks Karzai not to allow use of Afghan land against Pakistan
By our correspondent
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No Indo-Pak FMs meeting: Nirupama
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US to tighten control of Afghan contracts: Gates
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China has stake in Kashmir: Mirwaiz
News Desk
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Clinton favours Indo-Pak dialogue on Kashmir
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Competition Commission forces PIA to fly fair
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Attack on policemen in Peshawar
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‘Musharraf funnelling money to improve image’
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Sen Lugar’s wife arrested, charged with drinking, hit-and-run
News Desk
WASHINGTON: The wife of Republican Senator Richard G Lugar was arrested in the suburb of McLean on Wednesday night after crashing into a parked car, and she was charged with drunk driving and hit-and-run, the F more |
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briefs...
Bombers kill 23 in Afghanistan
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ISSN 1563-9479 
