Foreign forces won`t be allowed to conduct operations: Pak minister

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, April 7, IRNA -- Pakistan on Wednesday declared that no US 
or allied troops would be allowed to conduct any operation inside the 
country against Al-Qaeda and Taleban terrorist suspects. 
The government spokesman and Information Minister Sheikh Rashid 
Ahmed said on the floor of the Lower House of Parliament that 
Pakistani forces were capable of handling the terrorists. 
"There is no need for the US or allied forces to enter Pakistan 
for any operation. There is no need and we won`t allow them either," 
the official added. 
He was commenting on a point of order raised by the opposition 
regarding a statement of US Ambassador to Kabul Zalamay Khalilzad, 
who said if Pakistan failed the US-led coalition forces would conduct 
an anti-terror operation in Pakistan. 
Meanwhile, in order to discuss national security and other 
matters, President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf has called 
for a meeting of corps and formation commanders on April 16, local 
press reports said. 
Nawai Waqt newspaper said in its Wednesday issue that the two-day 
meeting would take stock of the national security, regional situation 
and related matters. 
President Musharraf, the newspaper added, would brief the 
commanders on the regional and national security situation. 
Analysts here believe that ongoing developments vis-a-vis the 
tribal areas would also figure during the meeting, as news of 
redeployment of the army and para-military forces made headlines in 
the media. 
Some media reports said on Tuesday that the government was 
considering launching a fresh operation in the tribal areas to flush 
out terrorists if they did not voluntarily surrender or leave the 
country. 
MHA/TSH/LS/210 
End

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Foreign forces won`t be allowed to conduct operations: Pak minister