“No More” was the unanimous response from Pakistan’s political elite to the US demand to “Do More” in the war against terror.
The “No More” message was conveyed to the Americans on Thursday through an All Parties Conference (APC) organised by the PPP government in Islamabad which was attended by leaders of 65 political parties, as well as the country’s Army Chief General Pervez Kayani and the ISI chief General Shuja Pasha. The conference came as the US government renewed calls on Wednesday for Pakistan to act against the radical Haqqani network.
Addressing the APC, PM Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani said that Pakistan would not bow to US pressure as it has already done more than enough in the war against terror.
Gilani stressed that relations between the allies in the war against terrorism should be based on mutual respect. “The blame game should end, and Pakistan’s sensitive national interests should be respected”, he said, in comments carried live on local television stations.
He warned against any cross-border raids by American forces in Afghanistan, saying, “We are a sovereign country. How can they come and raid our country?”
Gilani said there was a need to resolve issues in a responsible and positive manner and added these could only be addressed through dialogue. He also rejected the US allegation regarding Pakistan’s involvement in recent attacks on the US embassy and the NATO headquarters in Kabul.
