PESHAWAR, May 11: Calling the US forces' operation in Abbottabad as a direct attack on Pakistan's sovereignty, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) has asked the rulers and heads of armed forces to admit failure and step down.

“The operation in Abbottabad by the US forces is not a minor issue to be forgotten as it was a direct attack on Pakistan's sovereignty,” said JUI-F MPA Mufti Kifayatullah while speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday.

He said that the government was duty-bound to take the people into confidence otherwise the nation would be pushed towards bringing a revolution in the country. He said that the government should evolve an independent foreign policy with the support of all stakeholders to save the nation and the country.

The MPA said that the attack on Osama bin Laden's residence was actually a challenge to the country's security forces, but neither the air force nor the infantry dared to take action.

“All the heads of the armed forces, including General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani should admit failure and resign over the issue,” he said and added that the rulers had also no right to remain in power. Mr Kifayat said that the burial of Osama's body at sea showed barbarism of the US government and its forces. Pronouncing Osama's death as martyrdom, he said that the Al Qaeda chief had the sympathies of 1.5 billion people all over the world.

“Osama was not a criminal as he was not convicted by any court of law, but the US government conducted his media trials and then killed him in violation of law,” the JUI-F MPA claimed.

“I visited Abbottabad and talked to people who are feeling extremely insecure in the prevailing situation as the American forces can kill and pick anyone even in the presence of armed forces,” he said and criticised the security agencies for their failure to detect any foreign aggression.

He said that 70 per cent national budget was allocated to defence annually, but the armed forces failed to deter foreign aggression in Abbottabad.