Pakistan's foreign minister defends country's record on fighting terror
Hina Rabbani Khar calls for unity in combating terrorism in wake of US claims Islamabad is supporting Afghan insurgents
Pakistan's foreign minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, has robustly defended Islamabad's record in fighting terrorism in the wake of US allegations that the Pakistani intelligence service is closely linked to Afghan extremists and has facilitated attacks on American forces.
Khar made only passing references to the US in an address to the UN general assembly. But her calls for unity in fighting terrorism, and for there to be no recriminations, was prompted by deepening suspicion in Washington at what are seen as double dealings by the Pakistani intelligence service and military in Afghanistan, particularly since Osama bin Laden was found to be hiding in Pakistan.
"Given the volatility of the situation, it is perhaps understandable that there is a high level of anxiety and emotion. But we must not lose sight of the goals," said Khar.
"We must work closely and as responsible partners together in a cooperative manner and not rush to judgements or question each others intentions."
There is deep scepticism in Washington that the Pakistani military and intelligence service did not know Bin Laden's whereabouts for years while he lived in the Pakistani town of Abbottabad, where he was killed in an American raid in May.
Last week, the chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, told Congress that the Haqqani network, a Taliban faction responsible for numerous attacks on American and Nato targets in Afghanistan, is a "veritable arm" of Pakistan's ISI intelligence service.
He accused Pakistan of providing support for the group attack on the US embassy in Kabul two weeks ago that killed 16 Afghans, and for the bombing of a Nato post earlier this month that killed five people and wounded 77 coalition soldiers.
"With ISI support, Haqqani operatives planned and conducted that truck bomb attack, as well as the assault on our em! bassy," Mullen told the armed services committee.
Khar defended the ISI's record, saying it had been instrumental in the capture of members of the Taliban and al-Qaida, sometimes in co-operation with the CIA.
Khar said Pakistan has paid a high price in blood fighting terrorism.
"Thirty thousand innocent Pakistanis have been killed: men, women and children. The ever-ready Pakistani armed forces have defended Pakistan and the rest of the world at the highest cost," she said.
"Numerous politicians have lost sons, brothers and fathers at the hands of terrorists. Our streets are filled with armed police. Terrorists have attacked our military installations, attacked the grave sites of our spiritual leaders, attacked our minorities and attacked the very idea of Pakistan. If I began recounting Pakistan's sacrifices and Pakistan's suffering I would keep you here until next September.
"We do not take terrorism lightly. We cannot afford to take terrorism lightly. We have suffered far too much at its hands."
Khar said that Pakistan has an "irrevocable commitment to fighting terror" and will not permit its territory to be used by "militants and terrorists".
"We must demonstrate complete unity in ranks, avoid any recrimination, build greater trust," she said. "Otherwise, I'm afraid, the terrorists are the only ones who are going to win."
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