Islamabad, Sep 23: Against the backdrop of US threats of unilateral action against the Haqqani network, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today said that Pakistan's defence was strong and the country "would
 not allow any aggressor to fiddle with its frontiers".
 The "people stood with their armed forces, which are fully capable to defend the frontiers of the country," he said.
 Gilani made the remarks while addressing members of the business community at the Governor House in Karachi.
 Gilani said he would soon convene a meeting of the country's political leadership to apprise them of the security situation in Pakistan and the emerging situation in the region.
 Pakistan had good relations with other countries of the world but its focus had shifted to regional and neighbouring countries because "strengthening of relations with these nations within the geographical
 proximity serves the national interest in the best possible way," he said.
 Such a move builds bridges among people that are critical for sustaining long-term friendships based on mutual respect and equality, he said.
 Gilani's decision to convene the meeting of the country’s political leadership came in the wake of a sharp escalation of rhetoric between Pakistan and the US on the Inter-Services Intelligence agency’s alleged
 links to the Haqqani network, a Taliban faction based in North Waziristan tribal region.
 Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani issued a statement describing US military chief Admiral Mike Mullen’s accusations regarding the ISI-Haqqani network nexus as "not based on facts".

Lastupdate on : Sat, 24 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 24 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 25 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST