The military leadership rejected US accusations that the ISI had backed the Haqqani network in carrying out a string of terror attacks in Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani today countered US accusations linking Pakistani spy agency to terror groups in Afghanistan, saying his country cannot be pressured to "do more" in the war on terror, as ISI chief warned "quick and equal response" to any unilateral attack.
"Pressure cannot be put on Pakistan to do more (in the war on terrorism). Our national interests must be respected under all circumstances," Gilani said while opening a meeting of the country's political leadership that he convened to forge a consensus response to tensions with the US.
The premier rejected allegations by senior US officials, including military chief Adm Mike Mullen, linking the Inter-Services Intelligence agency to the Haqqani network and recent terror attacks in Afghanistan, saying these accusations were a cause of concern for Pakistan.
ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha told the meeting that any unilateral US military action against militants in Pakistan will be "unacceptable" and the country's armed forces have the capability to respond to such a strike. There was no official word on Pasha's briefing.
Briefing the politicians about the security situation and challenges facing Islamabad, Pasha was quoted by the news channels as saying that "political, diplomatic and military channels" should be used to resolve differences between Pakistan and the US.
Pakistan will not allow the situation to get to a "point of no return", he was quoted as saying.
However, Pasha made it clear that any US attack within Pakistan in the name of fighting militants will be "unacceptable" and could trigger a "quick and equal response", Express 24/7 channel quoted its sources as saying.
Pasha reportedly told the meeting that the ISI was not "exporting terrorism".
On hearing this, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif questioned the ISI chief's remarks and asked why the world community was accusing Pakistan of backing militants, Geo News channel reported.
Sharif said all such issues should be taken up in parliament, the channel added.
Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani responded to Sharif’s remarks by saying that he would address the former premier’s concerns, the channel reported.
The military leadership rejected US accusations that the ISI had backed the Haqqani network in carrying out a string of terror attacks in Afghanistan, media reports said.
At one stage, Mehmood Khan Achakzai of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party told Pasha that if the ISI wanted, it could usher in peace in Afghanistan in a month, news channels reported.
Referring to steps taken by Pakistan to back the Afghan peace process and a sudden spurt in terror attacks in the neighbouring country, Gilani said: "In the light of these events in Afghanistan, the US leadership's statements were surprising for us as they were contrary to Pakistan's sacrifices and successes against terrorism and extremism."
He added: "While rejecting all these accusations, we have focussed on positive and responsible ways to resolve these problems."
Enhancing positive and deeper contacts at all levels alone can pave the way for resolving these problems, he said.
Gilani said "all channels of communication are open" to resolve differences with the US. At the same time, Pakistan expects the cooperation of the world community, he said.
In an apparent response to US threats of unilateral action against terror groups like the Haqqani network based in Pakistan's tribal belt, Gilani said the country's political leadership and people are fully committed to defend the geographical borders of their motherland and its independence and sovereignty.
"The nation is proud of its armed forces and they have never disappointed us in matters of defending the country. We will be united to take on these challenges," he said.
Gilani convened the meeting of the top leadership of political and religious parties to fashion a united response to US accusations linking the ISI to the Haqqani network as well as growing pressure from the Obama administration to crack down on Taliban and al-Qaeda elements in the tribal belt.
The premier's speech was followed by in-camera briefings by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, who returned yesterday from a visit to the US, and the ISI chief.
The meeting was also attended by Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman Gen Khalid Shameem Wynne.
Among the leaders who participated in the meeting are Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Munawar Hasan, Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan and PML-Q head Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
The parties have widely divergent stands on how to tackle militancy and relations with the US. Islamic parties like the Jamaat-e-Islami have called for Pakistan to pull out of the US-led war on terror and begin talks with the Taliban.
The PML-N has called for a wide-ranging review of Pakistan's foreign policy, including ties with the US, while the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which wants strong action against militants, has called for caution in all such matters.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}