Abbottabad tragedy: nation shocked, rulers remained indifferent, says JI Chief

The Jamaat-i-Islami chief, Syed Munawar Hasan, has said that while the nation was shocked and grieved over the Abbottabad tragedy, the rulers remained totally indifferent and were busy in the distribution of ministries and useless foreign visits.
He said the foremost need of the hour was that the civil and military leadership sit together, walk out of the US fear and blackmailing, frame bold foreign and domestic policies keeping in view vital national interests and take concrete decisions for safeguarding country's borders, independence, honour and dignity.
Syed Munawar Hasan said it was tragic that the civil and the military leaderships were putting the blame of the present situation on each other whereas the rulers were changing their statements repeatedly and a common and agreed stance had not come forward.
The country, he said, was surrounded by dangers from all sides while the US demands and threats were on the increase. He said, instead of facing the situation in a dignified manner and devising some new strategy in line with the national interest and people's aspirations, the civil and military leadership had adopted an apologetic and defeated approach.
Syed Munawar Hasan said that Pakistan as the front line state in the so called war on terror, had incurred huge losses, its economy had been ruined, thousands of its citizens had been killed, yet the US and the west were expressing distrust in this country which was an open insult to the nation and the country. The Americans were claiming that the al Qaida and Taliban leadership was hiding in Pakistan, therefore they would intensify such attacks. Besides, a Bill for discontinuing the US aid to Pakistan had also been moved in the US House of Commons.
The JI chief said that on the next day of Raymond Davis's release, the drone had attacked a Peace Jirga in the northern areas killing s dozens of innocent people. Similarly, after the Abbottabad tragedy, there was another drone attack that killed 18 people. He said, it was time for the government and the armed forces to explain whether these were attacks on the country's sovereignty or not, and also who was responsible for the defence of the people.
Syed Munawar Hasan said that the nations had to face difficult times but only a bold, determined and far-sighted leadership could steer the nation out of difficulties. He said, although there was democratic sets up in the country, the rulers were taking decision bypassing the parliament. The US dictation was being followed blindly which had brought the country to the present situation.
He stressed that Pakistan must pull out of the so-called war on terror, which was actually war against Islam and the Muslims and Pakistan. Efforts must be made to create unity and harmony. On the foreign front, he said, sincere and concrete measures must be taken to get closer to our trusted friend China besides securing the co-operation of Iran, Saudi Arabia and other Muslim states.