The APC call was welcomed by all political parties where leaders had deliberated upon the situation emerged after the US Military top General Mollen branded Pakistan as a closest ally of ‘Haqqani Group’ and threatened to use of force against Pakistan if the US calls remain unheeded.
The allegations, which Pakistan categorically denied, including the bombing of the US Mission in Kabul and any formal ties with Haqqani Shura, which seems as a ‘fiction’ and not ‘reality’.
Last week, the Vice Admiral Mark I. Fox, Commander, US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), during a lecture at the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) told the 24X7 News that the Pakistan Navy being part of the Combined Task Force CTF-150 and CTF-152 have had played a pivotal role in keeping the sea piracy at a bay by working closely with other coalition partners.
“We have a fantastic team work as coalition partners and our colleagues from Pakistan Navy also commanded these coalition forces in rotation and showed an utmost professionalism.”
However, Vice Admiral Fox evaded answering the direct question about Haqqani Group.
It may be recalled that the Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani invited all leaders of Pakistan’s political parties in Islamabad on September 29, 2011 to consider issues relating to national security under the umbrella of APC.
The APC was briefed by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Director General ISI, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha on the security environment of the country and the regional situation.
The participants of the APC, who deliberated on the all agenda items, at the end of the meeting unanimously resolved that Pakistan as a peace-loving country, needs to establish and maintain friendly and cordial relations with all countries of the world on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual interest and respect.
The meeting was of the view that there has to be a new direction and policy with a focus on peace and reconciliation. “Give peace a chance” must be the guiding central principle henceforth.
According to the APC, Pakistan must initiate dialogue with a view to negotiate peace with our own people in the tribal areas and a proper mechanism for this is put in place.
The participants urged to further enhance brotherly bilateral relations with Afghanistan at three levels on priority basis namely at government to government level followed by institution to institution and people to people.
The APC recognized the sacrifices of the people and the Security Forces of Pakistan, especially the people of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and tribal areas. The international community needs to recognize these tremendous sacrifices as well as the colossal magnitude of destruction in Pakistan.
Pakistan can enhance its self-reliance comprehensively. Trade, not aid, should clearly be the way forward. We should also focus on internal economic and tax reforms as well as resource mobilization and the curbing of corruption.
Defending Pakistan’s sovereignty and its integrity is a sacred duty which shall never be compromised as well as national interests are supreme and shall guide Pakistan’s policy and response to all challenges at all times.
“Pakistan shall continue to endeavor to promote stability and peace at the regional and global planes, in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. All earlier unanimous resolutions of the Parliament, the recommendation of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on National Security must be implemented,” the meeting resolved.
“APC rejected the recent assertions and baseless allegations made against Pakistan. Such assertions are without substance and derogatory to the partnership approach. The Pakistani nation affirms its full solidarity and support for the armed forces of Pakistan in defeating any threat to national security.
“A Parliamentary Committee is formed to oversee the implementation of earlier resolutions as well as this Resolution and progress on the same be made public on monthly basis.”