Pakistani PM claims ‘justice was done’

PAKISTAN’S prime minister said Osama bin Laden’s death in an American raid was “indeed justice done” and insisted the relationship with the US was still strong.

However, he warned Washington that future unilateral strikes could be met with “full force”.

Prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani also expressed confidence in Pakistan’s military and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, which have been heavily criticised for failing to confront the US Navy SEALs who conducted last week’s helicopter raid without notifying Pakistan first.

The location of bin Laden’s hideout, in the army town of Abbottabad, has sparked suspicion that Pakistani officials knew where the al-Qaida leader was hiding and may have been helping him.

Gilani adamantly rejected those allegations, saying: “It is disingenuous for anyone to blame Pakistan or state institutions of Pakistan, including the ISI and the armed forces, for being in cahoots with al-Qaida.

“Allegations of complicity or incompetence are absurd. Pakistan is not the birthplace of al-Qaida,” Gilani said in a speech to parliament. “We did not invite Osama bin Laden to Pakistan or even to Afghanistan.”

Gilani agreed that the failure to find bin Laden, who was reportedly living in Abbottabad for up to six years, was a mistake, but insisted it wasn’t Pakistan’s alone.

“Yes, there has been an intelligence failure,” said Gilani. “It is not only ours but of all the intelligence agencies of the world.”

He said the army will conduct an inquiry into the raid and officials will brief parliament in May.

The Pakistani military scrambled F-16 fighters and sent forces to bin Laden’s compound as soon as they were aware of the raid, Gilani revealed.

Even though they were unable to interdict US forces before they were on their way back to Afghanistan, he expressed confidence in their performance. “Our response demonstrates that our armed forces reacted, as was expected of them.”

He warned the US against launching such attacks in future, saying “unilateralism runs the inherent risk of serious consequences”.

Gilani said: “Pakistan reserves the right to retaliate with full force. No one should underestimate the resolve and capability of our nation and armed forces to defend our sacred homeland.”

He insisted relations with the US remain strong and the two countries have worked well together during this crisis.

“Our communications at the official and diplomatic levels with the US, during this phase, have been good, productive and straight forward,” Gilani said.

“Osama bin Laden was the most wanted terrorist and enemy number one of the civilised world. Elimination of Osama bin Laden, who launched waves after waves of terrorists attacks against innocent Pakistanis, is indeed justice done.”