Pakistan’s APC rejects US allegations

Rejecting the recent assertions and baseless allegations made by the United States against Pakistan, the All Parties Conference (APC) convened by Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani resolved unanimously to never compromise on sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

On the conclusion of the APC, the leaders of 32 political parties asserted that “defence of Pakistan’s sovereignty and its territorial integrity is a sacred duty which shall never be compromised.”

Pakistan Prime Minister Raza Gilani

After in-depth deliberations, leaders of all the political parties unanimously adopted a 13-point resolution stating that assertions against Pakistan are without substance and derogatory to a partnership approach.

Security challenges

The APC said as a peace-loving country, Pakistan desires to establish and maintain friendly and cordial relations with all countries on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual interest and respect.

Prime Minister Gilani convened the APC so that parties across the political spectrum could hold threadbare discussion on the internal and external security challenges faced by the country.

The Prime Minister said that the successful holding of the APC testified the fact that the Pakistani nation is united on the issue of the country’s security and defence.

At start of the conference, the Prime Minister took the participants into confidence about the security environment.

Director General Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) Lt General Ahmed Shuja Pasha briefed the participants on regional security situation and answered their questions.

Peace and reconciliation

The APC recognized that there has to be a new direction and policy with focus on peace and reconciliation.

The resolution said: “Pakistan must initiate dialogue to negotiate peace with our own people in the tribal areas and a proper mechanism for this be put in place.”

“We need to further enhance our brotherly bilateral relations with Afghanistan at three levels on priority basis: government to government, 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, the APC stressed.

Way forward

The resolution said 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,” the leaders said.

The APC participants said national interests are supreme and shall guide Pakistan’s policy and response to all challenges at all times.

“Pakistan shall continue to endeavour 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.”

Political leadership

It was decided that all earlier unanimous resolutions of the Parliament, the recommendation of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on National Security must be implemented.

The leaders said the Pakistani nation affirms its full solidarity and support for the Armed Forces of Pakistan in defeating any threat to national security.

The leaders reached an understanding that a Parliamentary Committee be formed to oversee the implementation of earlier resolutions as well as this Resolution and progress on the same be made public on monthly basis.

Foreign Affairs Minister Hina Rabbani Khar also briefed the participants about her recent meetings with foreign ministers and diplomats of various countries on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan congratulated the political leadership for fighting case of the Pakistani nation in difficult circumstances.

“APC and the consensus resolution is a major development and it is a dividend of democracy that leaders of various political and religious parties got together on an important national issue,” said the Information Minister.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan was ready to hold talks with everyone for peace and can go to any extent to achieve this objective, adding, “all the country’s political forces stand shoulder to shoulder for Pakistan’s security interests.”

He, however, made it clear that Pakistan will talk on the basis of equality and mutual respect, by keeping in view the country’s national interests.

Prime Minister Gilani lauded the country’s political leaders, who responded positively on his call and sat together to discuss the issue of Pakistan’s security, while keeping their political differences aside. (APP)