Aziz rules out foreign military operation in Pakistan

Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz today ruled out the possibility of foreign forces conducting military operations within Pakistani territory.

Islamabad, July 23 : Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz today ruled out the possibility of foreign forces conducting military operations within Pakistani territory.

Adding to comments made by Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri to CNN, Aziz told a British news channel that his government is responsible for the fullfilling the country's military needs, and Pakistan would not need assistance from other countries.

"No group would be allowed to make Pakistani territory a safe heaven for terrorist activities and pose security threat to Pakistan or any other country", said Aziz.

Turning down the option of operation by foreign troops in Pakistan, Aziz stated that Pakistan is exchanging intelligence with several other countries and is fully capable of meeting its responsibilities effectively.

Describing terrorism as a global menace without any borders, he said it should be dealt in the same context.

Emphasising that Pakistan has done a lot to curb extremism, he said efforts were on to restrain movement along the Pakistan-Afgahn border, especially of anti-social and extremist elements.

Earlier, appearing on CNN's "Late Edition," an angry Kasuri objected to talk of US forces attacking the al-Qaeda on Pakistani territory, and warned that any unauthorised incursion by the West would alienate opinion in Pakistan, which is a key ally of the US in the fight against terrorism.

Criticising US officials for recommending direct and unilateral US military action in Pakistan's tribal areas, Kasuri told CNN from Lahore that Pakistan possessed one of the world's largest and most experienced armies, and was equipped to deal with the situation.

He also expressed Pakistan's resentment at being constantly targeted by the American media for not doing enough.

Recounting the heavy casualties suffered by Pakistan's security forces, Kasuri complained that these sacrifices have been either downplayed or have gone unacknowledged in the American media.

The Daily Times quoted him as saying that Pakistan "resents" the "tone" of criticism that is levelled at it from the US, despite all that it has done, and is doing, in fighting terrorism and extremism.

He asked the US to provide "actionable intelligence" regarding the Al Qaeda in Pakistan, and said Islamabad will do what's necessary.

"We are committed to controlling terrorism, and people in Pakistan get very upset when despite all the sacrifices that Pakistan has been making you get all these criticisms," said Kasuri."When you talk of going after targets, you will lose the battle for hearts and minds," he added.

He did not, however, reject the idea of US operations in Pakistan with or without Pakistan's consent.

Both were apparently referring to American intelligence officials having said that should a resurgent al-Qaeda think of attacking the United States again after a gap of six years from Pakistan's volatile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), the Bush Administration would not hesitate to move in troops to "flatten" the area.

In a report filed by the New York Times (NYT), Washington now believes that the recent events taking place in Pakistan, have at last presented it with an opportunity for a serious campaign against Islamic radicals in Pakistan.

The breakdown of a cease-fire between elders in Pakistan's tribal areas and the Musharraf regime, combined with Musharraf's determination to crack down on extremists in his country, may finally have given Bush something his predecessor, Bill Clinton, never had: "A partner who may at long last be persuaded to go after an entrenched terrorist haven," says the paper.

On the Lal Masjid operation, Aziz said efforts were made to resolve the issue without violence, but ultimately a decision was taken to undertake the operation in the national interest.

He also said that his Government has accepted the decision of the Supreme Court on the Chief Justice Chaudhry reference issue, and made it clear that the adverse verdict would not affect government functioning.

ANI