While the Saudi and American diplomats move to defuse the heightened tension currently existing between Islamabad and Washington, the Pakistani leadership, both civilian and military, is not taking the US threat of aggression against its territory lightly. The outrageously baseless charge that the Haqqanis were an arm of the ISI that was responsible for engineering recent attacks on US and NATO soldiers in Afghanistan was instantly and roundly debunked by the top leadership; and it was made clear to Washington that Islamabad would not tolerate attack on any part of the country. Prime Minister Gilani has called an all parties conference to be held tomorrow and the National Assembly has been summoned to meet on October 3 to debate the threatening development and arrive at a united stand to stymie the US designs. The corps commanders came out with the resolve of a stout defence of the country under any circumstances. Till the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and Defence Secretary Leon Panetta had lashed out at Pakistan, Washingtons urgings to do more and accusations of 'unwillingness to act against the Haqqanis have been responded to in much milder terms, recounting only our achievements and sacrifices and pointing to certain operational issues that were hindering the extension of scope of the war on terror into North Waziristan. Or at best, national interests against expanding the war were cited. The ruling politicians were considered, and rightly, more compliant than the military top brass with the US wishes, legitimate or not Perhaps, neither grasped that neo-imperialist motives were behind all the US scheming, including the war on terror itself. However, the blatant charge and threat of invasion rallied them round and brought them on the one page. The opposition parties, without exception, political analysts, the media and the public, which is already harbouring strong anti-American feelings, have come out on the side of the government. The Americans intention of finding a scapegoat for their shameful defeat against a badly equipped, ragtag resistance force is not lost to the world. The Chinese, our sincere friends, have unhesitatingly extended us full support and had earlier warned the US against a violation of Pakistans sovereignty. Their Vice Premier Meng Jianzhu, who came to Pakistan, gave the assurance of standing by us. The Ambassador of Iran, another close friend and neighbour, has also stated that his country would come to Pakistans help in time of need. The nation expects the leadership, whether in the seat of power or in the opposition, to present a united stand, leaving no room for doubt that any attempt at the violation of its territory would be repulsed. Besides, there should be no delay in effecting a complete reorientation of our foreign policy to secure our national interests in the future.