Islamabad: The war of words between the United States of America and Pakistan over Osama bin Laden's killing has escalated. Islamabad has hit back at the US for its unilateral action against Osama bin Laden on its soil just a few hours after a top White House official said that the US would again carry out special operations like the attack that killed Osama to target high profile terrorists in Pakistan if required.
Pakistan on Thursday claimed that neither its intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) , nor any other element in the government have been helping al Qaeda or was trying to shelter Osama bin Laden, who was killed early Monday morning by US Navy SEALs in Abbottabad where Pakistan Military academy is also located.
Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad, said that his country's sovereignty was violated when the US launched Operation Geronimo to kill Osama. He reiterated that Pakistan was not aware about the US operation beforehand and blaming Islamabad would solve nothing.
He said that the focus should be on the bigger picture and all the talk should not revolve around about the US-Pakistan relations after bin Laden's killing.
"Pakistan and the US are strategic partners. The notion that Pakistan-US relations have nosedived, that's not our understanding. As far as Pakistan is concerned, lots of issues are being addressed. One big issue is of sovereignty and this whole issue of competence. There are also issues about Pakistan's defence capability," said Bashir.
"US and other friends who have been on the forefront of anti-terror action particularly in Afghanistan are together. Pakistan-US relations are moving in the right direction. This cooperation is based on some deadlines. It is important to be in the cooperation mode or else it could be detrimental," he said.
Pointing out to the statements by US officials including US President Barack Obama that no other country including Pakistan was informed about Operation Geronimo, Bashir said that his country’s sovereignty should be respected.
"US mission to kill Osama bin Laden was a covert operation, Pakistan was not consulted. The people of Pakistan, the government and Parliament of Pakistan like their dignity. This action was a covert action, Pakistan was not consulted. Our sovereignty should be respected. Our authority got to know about this operation when one of the choppers crashed," said Bahir.
"This matter of sovereignty and violation of sovereignty raises certain legal and moral issues. Pakistan is mindful of its international obligations and wants everyone else also to be mindful of its international obligations," he said.
"We fear the Pakistan's sacrifice is not seen in the right perspective. We are not seeking compassion from International community. We will continue our fight against terrorism for our own interest. It was the US side that raised the sovereignty issue. It is a global issue. Subsequently President Obama called up Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and had a brief conversation in which he was informed," he added.
Bahir, however, declined to comment how Osama became the world's most wanted terrorist.
"Bin Laden is history but saying that is not enough. We have to see the developments in the right context. Making of Laden is a separate theme and I don't want to elaborate that," he said.
He also warned Pakistan's adversaries about underestimating his country's defence capabilities.
"I don't want anyone to have wrong impressions about our defence capabilities. We are mindful of our defence requirements. There should no misunderstanding on that. US is an important partner in fight against terror. Any other country that would ever act on the assumption that it has the might will find that it has made a miscalculation. There have been statements that have come across from military and air force that this can be repeated, we feel that sort of misadventure could result into catastrophe. Pakistan Military Academy is a training institution. Had something gone wrong with the operation, it could have led to a terrible catastrophe," he warned.
Claiming that Pakistani has been targeting terror groups and its leaders, Bashir said that ISI has proved to be a brilliant intelligence agency.
"It's easy to say that ISI had links with the al Qaeda. This is a false charge. It cannot be validated on any account. The Bali bomber was picked up by the Pakistan's ISI in Abbottabad. Abbottabad was identified by Pakistan in 2004 when the driver of a senior al Qaeda leader was spotted here. US has admitted that leads were given by Pakistan on several occasions. We know that the ISI has done commendable work. It has a brilliant track record," he said.
He added that any terrorist attack that happens is an intelligence failure.
"Inability to locate Osama bin Laden was a global intelligence failure," he said.
"We can share only what’s necessary. Intelligence is a tedious process, there could be leads that could be developed, only when there is a composite picture and certainty that actions are taken," he said.
"We had determined from our sources that it was Osama who was killed in Abbottabad. This courier was an important lead. The cell phone used by this person known to be Osama bin Laden confidant was an important factor in directing the CIA to this compound. It was circumstantial evidence on the basis of which they acted," Bashir added.
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