ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan had not been informed about Wednesday’s attack in South Waziristan.

He said at a media briefing here on Thursday that the drone attack carried out after an assurance given by Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen to respect Pakistan’s sovereignty reflected an “institutional disconnect’ in the United States administration which was something for the Americans to sort out.

Welcoming Admiral Mullen’s ‘clear commitment’, Mr Qureshi said there was no reason for not believing him.

He said such incursions were unproductive and they vitiated the atmosphere of cooperation. He said the US forces were neither helping Pakistan nor themselves through such actions.

The foreign minister said he would take up during is visit to Washington for ‘strategic dialogue’ the issue of air and ground violations along the Afghan border by US troops. He said the issue was a major concern for Pakistan.

About the rules of engagement between Pakistan and the US in the war on terrorism, he said: “We can also sit as a government and see if they need to be reviewed.”

“We have to remain engaged with the US and our allies, co-exist with them and find a way out… there is a genuine concern in the US about the potential of Al Qaeda and Taliban to once again threaten mainland USA and Europe and we, as allies, have to understand the concern and address it,” he said.

Mr Qureshi called for putting aside emotions, understanding the situation and moving ahead in a manner that would best serve the country’s interests and protect its sovereignty.

“Giving statements is very easy and so is criticism. But it should be seen what options we have under the given circumstances and whether we want to add to Pakistan’s friends or make new foes.”

Emphasising the need for sterner action to prevent movement of militants from the tribal areas into Afghanistan, the foreign minister said: “While we expect others to respect our sovereignty, permit me to say that there is also a responsibility on us that there is no incident from our side that infringes others’ sovereignty or violates their territory.”

He said Pakistan was cooperating with the US because there was realisation that Al Qaeda and Taliban militants were not just creating problems in Afghanistan but were also paralysing governance and institutions in

Pakistan. “If we don’t check them, where will they stop? It will be Islamabad next. It will be Lahore and they will move on and on.”

Mr Qureshi denounced the militants as “bad ambassadors of Islam and Muslims” who had done a great disservice to the religion and its followers through their irresponsible behaviour.

He urged the US to have greater understanding of Pakistan’s thinking on the issue, particularly the policy of reconciliation with tribal elders.

“The US has to realise that the war cannot be won purely through military means. We have to win hearts and minds. It was on this premise that we decided to engage the tribal people and wean them away from the militants.”

INDIAN ALLEGATION: The foreign minister urged the Indian leadership to refrain from accusing Pakistan of involvement in recent terror attacks in New Delhi.

“You can’t point a finger at Pakistan,” he said, adding that the groups claiming responsibility for the violence did not have anything to do with Kashmir.

“Blame game, statements and counter-statements over the years have been vitiating the atmosphere and now both of us should move in a positive direction because both stand to gain from it.”

He said there were some difficulties in the relations but both sides needed to remain steadfast and keep moving in the right direction.

Disagreeing with a suggestion that the peace process had been stalled, he said a Pakistani delegation would go to New Delhi soon to discuss trade across the Line of Control.

He said the government wanted to send a delegation of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry to Srinagar for discussing with business circles products which could be traded.

Replying to questions, Mr Qureshi said the government had no sympathy for banned religious organisations.

“These organisations have different cloaks. If you check their activities, your democratic credentials are questioned. So it is a difficult balance to keep.”