US court summons: if ISI not willing, then no one can force it: Prime Minister

Prime Minster Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday has stated that no one can compel the Inter-Services Agency (ISI) to appear before a US court. The PM refrained from making a policy statement saying it was a 'sensitive issue' and needed some consultation, but categorically stated, "I assure you (National Assembly) that if ISI is not willing, then no one can force it to appear before a US court."
He said, "we are as sensitive about this issue as anybody else in this house" and are not oblivious of developments. The decision in this regard will be taken after mutual consultation, he added. A US court has issued summons to senior ISI officials, including its chief Ahmed Shuja Pasha along with alleged Mumbai attack masterminds and LeT leaders Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rahman Lakhvi.
The summons were issued in response to a lawsuit by relatives of two American Rabbi-Gavriel Noah and Rivka Holtzberg-killed in the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. Gilani was responding to a fiery speech by leader of the opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan who took the government to task over what he described as failed foreign policy and accused the government of being "oblivious to the latest development".
While addressing the possibility of launching a military operation in North Wazirstan, the PM said, "we are not fighting someone else's war. The war on terror has not been imposed on us as it is our internal issue." He added that the offensive in South Wazirstan was launched subsequent to taking the political leadership of the country into confidence.
He said that it would be a naïve approach to think that there can be a compromise on sovereignty and integrity of the country, adding "the decision to launch the North Waziristan operation would be made by the people of Pakistan and no one can dictate us".
Unless law and order prevails, no investment would come in the country, therefore, rectifying the menace of terrorism is critical to ensuring a solution to our economic problems, the PM added.
In response to the issue highlighted by the leader of the opposition regarding handling of Shahzain Bugti, grandson of late Nawab Akbar Bugti by the security agencies, the premier replied that it was a provincial matter and a committee had already been constituted to probe the matter. However, Interior Minister Rehman Malik would take the house into confidence regarding the action taken once he is back in the country.
The prime minister said that there was foreign interference behind worsening law and order situation in Balochistan. In his speech, Chaudhry Nisar referring to the summons issued by a US court to chief ISI said, "apparently, it is a court decision but it has political connotations," adding, "it is an attempt to pressurise our institutions, which we will never allow".
"If America is our ally in the war against terror, then its justice department should oppose the decision of summoning the ISI chief to US on diplomatic grounds," Chaudhry Nisar demanded, as he referred to precedents when US had rendered such kind of support to its allies. Nisar also questioned the government under which law the CIA had been operating in the country. 'Is there any reciprocal agreement between the two governments', he questioned.