ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP): Prime
Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday categorically stated that there was
no understanding with the United States for attacks inside Pakistani territory.
“Being chief executive of this country, I want to assure you that there is no
understanding (with the US),” he said speaking in the National Assembly.
The Prime Minister said if there
was any such understanding of Pervez Musharraf’s regime with the United States,
then the foreign office or the government has no such record.
“Musharraf at that time was
wearing two hats...therefore all the decisions at that time were one-man
show.”
He said the former president never
bothered to take parliament into confidence over this issue or initiate a debate
over the national security situation.
The present government, he added,
not only debated the national security issue in the parliament but also passed a
joint resolution as they believed in supremacy of the democratic
institutions.
He praised the army as highly
professional, extremely efficient and pro-democracy and said that is the reason
they did not support the dictatorship.
“You should not have any doubt in
your mind that the army will not support the government or government policies.
Army will take steps with the consent of the government,” Gilani added.
He said the National Security
Advisor was in constant touch with his US counterpart and conveying concern of
Pakistani nation to the US authorities.
The Prime Minister said that
Pakistan was a responsible nation and unlike in the past, was no more isolated
as the whole world supported Pakistan on the issue of drone attacks.
He said he has met a number of
western countries leaders who strongly advocated an end to attacks inside
Pakistani territory as these are counter productive for fight against terrorism
or extremism.
“These (attacks) are adding to our
problems...they are intolerable and we do not support them rather condemn
them.”
The Prime Minister assured the
house that once the transition period in the US is over and Senator Obama’s
government is in place, these attacks will come to an end.
He reiterated that the present
government will not compromise the country’s sovereignty and integrity.
He said these incidents will be
controlled through diplomatica efforts and international lobbying.
