APC: No more 'do more', US told

The country’s military and political leaders refused to be pressured into doing more.Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani brought together opposition leaders, members of his fragile coalition and military commanders in a rare all-party conference designed to forge unity in the latest showdown with Washington.American statements shocked us, and negate our sacrifices and successes in the ongoing war against terror, Gilani told the gathering in opening remarks.But the Pakistani leader sought to lower tensions with the United States, saying that differences should be resolved through talks.We should give up talking about assumptions for the sake of meaningful negotiations. Pakistan cannot be pressurised to do more. Our national interests should be respected. Our doors are open for dialogue, Gilani said.Washington is now conducting a final review on whether to blacklist the network linked to Pakistani intelligence as a terror group, which risks then exposing Islamabad to economic sanctions.Overnight, Washington appeared to tread more carefully on Pakistan, with White House spokesman Jay Carney saying he would not have used the same language as outgoing top US military officer Admiral Mike Mullen, and Clinton saying the countries have to work together.I am confident that our nation is determined to defend its geographical frontiers, independence and sovereignty. Our armed forces are united as always. They have never disappointed their people, Gilani said.ISI chief Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, who has just returned from talks in the United States and at the UN General Assembly, were to brief the conference, a senior official said.More than 50 delegates attended, including army chief of staff Ashfaq Kayani, considered the most powerful man in Pakistan, opposition leader Nawaz Sharif and heads of Islamic parties such as pro-Taliban cleric Fazlur Rehman. Fazl left the APC early owing for health reasons.