Intelligence

Pakistan PM conveys concern to CIA chief at NATO strikes

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Oct 1, IRNA -- Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday conveyed ?profound concern’ to the CIA Chief Leon E. Panetta over the increasing drone attacks and violation of Pakistan’s air space by the NATO and ISAF helicopters, the PM office said.

The CIA Chief, who arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday, will also meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and intelligence chief Lt. General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, sources said.

The visit comes at a time when the US has stepped up drone strikes in Waziristan tribal region and also the NATO launched airstrikes in Pakistan’s Kurram tribal region.

“While underscoring the importance of intelligence sharing and cooperation between Pakistan and US, the Prime Minister stated that the US and ISAF forces should share credible and actionable information with Pakistan’s forces enabling them to take the required action against the possible threat in the bordering areas with Afghanistan,” a statement from the PM office said.

He, however, said that Pakistan being a front-line ally in the war against terror expects from its partners to respect its territorial sovereignty.

The CIA Chief, Leon E. Panetta, conceded the point that the UN had only given the mandate to NATO and ISAF forces to act within the Afghan territory and assured the Prime Minister that the US government would look into the incidence of NATO-ISAF intrusion into Pakistan’s territory, the statement said.

He acknowledged and expressed the gratitude of the US government over the existing cooperation between the intelligence apparatus of both the countries and conveyed the readiness on part of the US for further strengthening the cooperation and coordination between the two sides in this field, it said.

“He underscored the fact that US cannot confront the terrorists without Pakistan’s support which has been crucial for the success in this war”.

The CIA chief also reassured the Prime Minister that Pakistan’s sovereignty will be fully respected and the US will try its utmost to provide timely and credible information to Pakistan’s side against any possible terrorist activity on its side of the border to enable Pakistani forces to tack prompt action against the miscreants.