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Washington has been categorically told to “stop treating Pakistan as a client state”, said a Pakistani diplomat.—File photo
ISLAMABAD: Setting terms for renewal of ties with the United States, Pakistan has sought ‘punishment’ for and an ‘apology’ from those responsible for Saturday’s deadly Nato attack on two of its border posts.
The demand, military sources say, was made through a letter sent to Washington earlier this week.
“Nothing short of this will be acceptable,” a senior official said in a background interview with Dawn, adding that Pakistan would otherwise be constrained to “reconsider its partnership in the war on terror”.
Even as the inquiry initiated by the US military is yet to identify who, if anyone, is culpable, a Pakistani general at a media briefing on Tuesday said that International Security Assistance Force chief Gen John Allen was ultimately responsible in his capacity as commander.
However, military officials would not explicitly say if they would like to see his (Gen Allen’s) exit.
Moreover, the US has been asked to clarify why its helicopters returned to attack the post after they had disengaged following contacts between senior Pakistani and Isaf commanders.
Civilian and military leaderships from both sides have been interacting quite regularly to find the way forward, but the mood in Islamabad and Rawalpindi suggests that no progress is likely until the Americans come up with a ‘tangible response’ to Pakistani demands.
Robert Raines, a spokesman for the US Embassy, said discussions were taking place. However, he refused to confirm or deny if any specific demands had been made.
A Pakistani diplomat at the Foreign Office confirmed the demand and said Washington had been categorically told to “stop treating Pakistan as a client state”.
Relations between Pakistan and the US have been on a downward spiral since the start of this year, but the most recent incident has made the much talked about likely breakdown in bilateral ties more imminent.
The government has already expressed its fury by blocking crucial Nato supply route, calling for vacation of the Shamsi airbase by Dec 11 and by pulling out of the Bonn conference on Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, in a telephonic conversation with Italian counterpart Giulio Terzi, said the attack reflected the “callous behaviour” of the US and Nato.
Maj-Gen Ishfaq Nadeem, the Director-General of Military Operations, stepped up the rhetoric earlier in the week by claiming that the attack was deliberate.
TOUGH POSTURE: The manner in which the government moved from its initial reaction to the decision to boycott the Bonn conference and the simultaneous toughening of the tone of Pakistani authorities, observers felt, reflected Islamabad’s dissatisfaction with the US response.
The US has expressed regrets, offered condolences for the fallen soldiers, and opened investigations into the incident, a report on which is expected by Dec 23.
Comments by Gen Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in an interview with ITV News that there was “absolutely” nothing to apologise are likely to further inflame the situation.
The military has proposed a set of five options to be exercised in case Washington refuses to accept its mistake, apologise and punish those responsible. The options remain a closely guarded secret, but military sources say some of them are quite extreme.
“We have very few options left with us and we clearly understand their implications,” a Pakistani general said, without elaborating what was being considered.
Pakistan has sought ‘punishment’ for and an ‘apology’ from those responsible for Saturday’s deadly Nato attack on two of its border posts. ITS IMPERATIVE THAT CULPRITS SHOULD BE HANDED OVER TO PAKISTAN N THEIR RESPECTIVE TRAILS HELD IN PAKISTAN, NOT IN USA OR NATO COURTS.
Charity begins at home. Lets start first by punishing the culprits behind killing thousands of Shias, christians, hindus and Ahmadis. Punish the killer of Salman Taseer before we ask NATO and Americans to be punished. Coward government don't even has the courage to ban and dismantle the home-grown terrorists organizations.
Pakistan can absolutely do whatever it wants to do to send a clear signal to the U.S.; however, it has to also weigh in the costs of doing so and if it is prepared to accept the long term and short term implications of flexing its muscle,rather than well planned strategy, go for it.
Did I read somewhere that one who forgives is better than the one who punishes; Or was it the other way around?
The action taken by the Pakistani gov.not to take part in Bonn conference is absolutely correct. Its the time to show Americans that we can live without their aid. The decision of blocking NATO supply is perfect.
Sidra, it's not about surviving without US aid. The point is corruptions runs so deep in the system that we can hardly take a stand despite having all the resources in the country.I think this whole drama, Govt. is putting up to ease the public situation. Please wake up and see (in the past) what has been happening so far. In short we cannot and will never stand up against our biggest partner (of so called war against terror).
US and its allies forces must be punished for their irresponsible act of killings our security personnel. We should not allow passing the NATO supplies thorough our borders. We must ask them to let free the Shamsi base that they are using against our own people.
It's quite impressive that Pakistan wants the perpetrators of this crime to be punished, yet it has done NOTHING to punish the perpetrators of 26/11. If Pakistan cannot provide justice, why does it expect justice.
because the drama of 26/11 was created by your own govt.
So by your logic, the Pakistan Govt created this Nato incident? And the Pakistani people are OK with that?
The comments of Amjad are absolutely silly and out of line when says, " In the best interest of the country, Army Chief, DG ISI & Air Force Chief should resign". Why should any of our gallant members of the Armed forces resign? Do the Americans call on their Generals to resign when they massacre the innocent civilians in many parts of the world? No – because every American ( I have seen it as I live here) stands behind its troops patriotically. Everyt vehicle here says, God Bless Our Troops" That is their spirit of patriotism, whereas we Muslims – "the Defenders of Faith" keep fighting among ourselves, and instead of standing united, seek to sow seeds of dissension – not aiming to unite and strengthen our institutions but to divide and weaken them. Wake up Pakistanis. You have a country now.
STOP TREATING BALOCHIS LIKE DOGS THEY ARE PAKISTANI AS WELL.
Pakistan should stand firm and cut relationship with
USA. Pakistan should stay away from Afghan chaos.
I am afraid, Nato has different objectives. They are
using militant groups as an excuse achieve long
range objectives which may result in destruction of
Pakistan.
The helocopters have returned to attack the post clears shows that there are either strong intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the post or higher officials orders to attack the post with 100% precision.
5 pakistani military options…hahah….very funny…we have a famous saying in karachi…"Abbb ki maar ….".
It is time the military proves that it really means business. The whole nation will be standing with the army if it refuses to submit the US pressure. Enough is enough and believe me, if Pakistan refuses to open supply route to NATO, American forces will be in deep trouble.
In the best interest of the country, Army Chief, DG ISI & Air force Chief should resign. Based on the events happened in the past and particularly during 2011 it proves that the above mentioned are either incompetent or traitor.
Well lets do the same with US arm forces in Afganistan, I mean send two helecopters and kill few americans and then ask the Gov of Pak to send condolences to US, call for an inquiry and show that Pak army thought they were militants…. call for an independant inquiry and than advice americans to move forward as war on terror is more important than few lives….
Great comment. What you say is 100 percent correct!
And you think pakistan has capability or guts to do it against America? Wake up my Pakistani brother, enough of dreams.
And my American friend, only because you have the power and so called 'guts', it is justified for you to do it??!!! Wow. Hats of to your morality.
we are requsted pk governmat plese carry on and stand strongly all the pakistani people stand with them and more demand to neto hand over the attacker person to pakistan if we can hand over remond davis whay not nato ?
Pakistan handed over Raymond after acceptingmillions of dollars…..Are you ready to pay million of dollars to US if they decide to hand over those behind the attack…:-)
Why make such a demand when you know that it is not possible. In any battle a sizeable percentage of those killed are by friendly fire or due to human errors. This is unavoidable and no one can be punished for this.
what u say would make sense if the US apologises for the attack and pays compensation to the victims!
@Alex We now want to see some nato and american soldiers being killed in friendly fire from Pakistani soldiers. Thats all we want nothing else. you would accept this error or friendly fire, right?
Friendly fire ???? Friendly fire ??????? NATO has encroached upon our territory not once but many times. This is not the first time that Pakistani soldiers have died at the hands of Americans but this time around this friendly fire band-aid does not fit. Two dozens soldiers killed and not one of them militant or for that matter an American. Its time to turn the guns around!! After all its only friendly fire!
Alex If it was a human error than why it was repeated after 20 or 30 minutes when high level officials at NATO were contacted to stop aggression. this clearly shows that NATO is involved in deliberate act of aggression against an ally if not friend.
Its about time the pakistani army showed some guts.
THE PAKISTAN should not and will not come under pressure from US
to roll back the situation as it was.
NOW the all the options are in front of us WE will not say this was an accident or never mind. IF US will not respect as a supper
power than who will justify , we have been with US from 10 years
we did not expect this kind of REWARD.
Read the book "Friends Not Masters" by Ayub Khan. a leopard does not change its spots. US was recognised for what it was a LONG TIME ago by Field Marshal Ayub Khan. It was Pakistan's mistake to have continued a friendship with such an ungrateful partner.!
About time…..please be Pakistani and protect PAKISTAN! No money is worth losing dignity. I hope no one goes back due to greed.