Gilani asks US not to ignore Pakistan in crediting victories

As we are working together in fighting militancy, victories should be shared along with losses: PM Gilani .—AFP photo

LONDON: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said Pakistan considered its relations with the United States  ‘extremely important’ and stressed that victories in the fight against terrorism must be credited to Pakistan.
“As we [Pakistan and US] are working together in fighting militancy, victories should be shared along with losses,” Gilani said at a press conference here at the conclusion of his four-day visit.
He acknowledged that the two countries were undergoing a strained period after the unilateral action by the US in Abbottabad against al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
The premier said the incident resulted in misunderstanding between the two countries after Pakistan voiced its reservations for not being taken into confidence for violating its sovereignty.
Gilani said Pakistan would not allow any restrictions forced on it from outside and added that the country’s sovereign parliament had already adopted a resolution opposing such a step.
When asked about the need for a more independent foreign policy, he said the parliament had all the rights to review national strategies.
On the relations with India, he said the two countries had come on the table to discuss all the issues, including the Kashmir dispute.
He said Pakistan and India had realised that their relations should not become hostage to the Mumbai incident and added that the foreign ministers would be meeting on July 27 to discuss a range of issues.
“If the two countries do not talk, the beneficiaries will be the militants,” he said.
When asked to comment on the arrest of Kashmiri leader Ghulam Nabi Fai in the United States, Gilani clarified that he [Fai] belonged to the Occupied Kashmir and his detention had nothing to do with the Pakistan’s clear-cut policy on Kashmir.