Foreign Minister Khar speaks to United States of America Secretary of State Clinton

Islamabad: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar spoke to the US Secretary of State in the early hours of Sunday to inform the US government of the decisions made by the Defence Coordination Committee, which met in Islamabad on Saturday evening.

The Foreign Minister conveyed to the Secretary of State, the deep sense of rage felt across Pakistan at the senseless loss of 24 soldiers due to the NATO/ISAF attack on the Pakistani post in Mohmand Agency.

Foreign Minister Khar stressed that such attacks are totally unacceptable. They demonstrate complete disregard for international law and human life, and are in stark violation of Pakistani sovereignty. She added that this negates the progress made by the two countries on improving relations and forces Pakistan to revisit the terms of engagement. She informed Secretary Clinton about DCC decisions to stop NATO supply routes and that the US should vacate the Shamsi airbase within 15 days.

Secretary of State Clinton condoled with the Foreign Minister about the loss of life. She said that she was deeply saddened by the event. She conveyed the US government’s desire to work with Pakistan to resolve this issue.

For more information, contact:
Syed Haider Ali Jafri
Personal Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tel: +9251 921 0335 and 9056604