?Pakistan looks forward to the success of this conference but in view of the developments and prevailing circumstances has decided not to participate in it,? said an official handout issued at the end of the meeting.
The cabinet, however, expressed the hope that the international community will reaffirm its support for peace and development in Afghanistan at the forthcoming Bonn Conference. It also reaffirmed Pakistan?s support for stability and peace in Afghanistan while recognising the importance of an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of reconciliation.
The cabinet also decided to refer the matter of Nato attack on Pakistani checkpost to Parliamentary Committee on National Security. It was decided that recommendations of the committee would be submitted before the joint sitting of the Parliament, which would be convened when the parliamentary body firms up its proposals.
The cabinet agreed that unilateral actions like Abbottabad raid and that of last Saturday in Mohmand Agency were ?not acceptable?. Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar briefed the cabinet about the incident and described the ongoing diplomatic efforts to highlight the violation of Pakistan?s territorial sovereignty, which is also a violation of the international law.
Earlier, the prime minister took the cabinet into confidence on the decisions of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC), and said that there could be no compromise on Pakistan?s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and also on the nation?s resolve to safeguard its frontiers at any cost.
The cabinet appreciated the prompt initiative of the Prime Minister to convene an emergency meeting of the DCC, while endorsing its statement and decisions.
The meeting noted with satisfaction that the decisions of the DCC, which include immediate closing of Nato/Isaf logistic supply lines and asking the United States to vacate the Shamsi airbase within 15 days, stood implemented.
The cabinet also endorsed the decision of the DCC to review Pakistan?s cooperation with the US/Nato/Isaf and regretted that despite Pakistan?s continued efforts to play a positive role in countering terrorism and militancy for stability and peace in the region, the sacrifices of the nation had not been recognised.
The cabinet condemned the Nato/Isaf attacks on Pakistani soldiers and termed them an assault on the sovereignty of Pakistan. It noted such actions were contrary to the spirit of partnership and business as usual was no longer possible.
It called upon the international community to take due cognizance of such attacks which constitute a violation of the UN charter principles, international law and could have serious repercussions for regional peace and security. It noted further that it was imperative that all sides realise the gravity of the situation and exercise utmost restraint.
Before the start of the formal proceedings, the cabinet members offered Fateha for the Shuhada (martyrs) of the Salalah checkpost in Mohmand Agency.
Earlier, the cabinet decided to set aside the actual agenda already set for the meeting and lay the entire focus on the one-point agenda of formulating response to NATO aggression.
Meanwhile, Afghan President Hamid Karzai made a telephonic call to Prime Minister Gilani and expressed his condolences of the people and the Government of Afghanistan on the martyrdom of Pakistan?s security personnel in an attack on the army checkpost by the Nato/Isaf forces.
Karzai said media reports were circulating that Pakistan had decided not to participate in the Bonn Conference. He requested the Prime Minister to reconsider the decision as the conference was being convened for peace and stability in Afghanistan, and Pakistan?s absence from the Bonn moot would not be helpful to the efforts aimed at bringing about peace in Afghanistan.
Upon this, PM Gilani said Pakistan had been extending complete cooperation for peace and stability in Afghanistan. However, he said, how could a country whose own sovereignty and territorial integrity was violated from the Afghan soil could play a constructive role?
The prime minister recalled that several cross-border attacks were launched into Pakistani territory in the past in which scores of Pakistan?s security personnel lost their lives. He said those attacks were a clear violation of the international law and Nato/Isaf mandate. The PM said the recurrence of such incidents would definitely narrow down the political space for the government where the country?s own sovereignty was at stake.
Afghan President thanked the Government of Pakistan for extending full cooperation to the Afghan investigation team which visited Pakistan in connection with the investigation of assassination of Professor Buhanuddin Rabbani. Gilani, in turn, assured the Afghan President that his administration would continue to extend full cooperation till the culprits behind the tragedy were not apprehended.
Karzai recalled his meeting with Gilani on the sidelines of the recent Saarc Summit in Maldives and described it as positive and forward looking.
Gilani said Pakistan was working for the stability of Afghanistan because a stable, independent and peaceful Afghanistan was in Pakistan?s interest. He expressed his deepest regret on the use of Afghan soil for attacking Pakistan?s sovereignty at the hands of Nato/Isaf forces in Mohmand Agency. The premier said that the breach of Pakistan?s sovereignty and the martyrdom of the army personnel had enraged the people of Pakistan.
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