ISLAMABAD Taking stock of the situation arising out of the unilateral 'kill Osama operation by US troops, the ensuing backlash and the proclaimed pressure to carry out an operation in North Waziristan Agency (NWA), the top military commanders of the country decided that future operations, as and when undertaken, will be with political consensus, according to an ISPR statement. The 139th Corps Commanders Conference was held Thursday at the General Headquarters (GHQ), with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in the chair. The participants were given a comprehensive briefing with special reference to internal security, terrorism, role of the media, the society, and all organs of the State to address the ongoing challenges that the country faces, and military-to-military relationship with the US, said an ISPR press release. As for drone attacks, the ISPR said the Army has repeatedly conveyed to all the concerned that these are not acceptable under any circumstances. There is no room for ambiguity in this regard. The Forum was informed by the COAS that military-to-military relationship with the US has to be viewed within the larger ambit of bilateral relations between the two countries. It had to be assessed afresh in the backdrop of the May 2 incident as well as the dictates of the Joint Parliamentary Resolution passed on May 14, 2011. In this regard, aspirations of the people of Pakistan also need to be taken into account. In line with the demands of these important factors, the Army has drastically cut down the strength of US troops stationed in Pakistan, the ISPR said while giving details of the meeting. The participants were also informed about the extent of intelligence cooperation with the US. It has been decided to share intelligence strictly on the basis of reciprocity and complete transparency, said the ISPR statement. It has been clearly put across to US intelligence officials that no intelligence agency can be allowed to carry out independent operation on our soil. The COAS also apprised the Forum of his interaction with various foreign visitors, military as well as civilian, who met him after the Abbottabad incident. While reviewing the internal security situation, the participants voiced their concern on the blowback of the Abbottabad incident which has resulted in the upsurge in terrorism and consequent loss of innocent lives. It was concluded that all law-enforcement agencies, though trying their best to cope with the situation, need to be more focused and proactive and the Army will be there to extend all possible support. The participants noted with regret that despite briefing the joint session of the Parliament and referring the ultimate findings to the Commission appointed by the government, some quarters, because of their perceptual biases, were trying to deliberately run down the Armed Forces and the Army in particular. This is an effort to drive a wedge between the Army, different organs of the State and more seriously, the people of Pakistan whose support the Army has always considered vital for its operations against terrorists, read the statement. The COAS noted that in order to confront the present challenges, it is critical to stand united. Any effort to create divisions between important institutions of the country is not in our national interest, the statement quoted the COAS as saying. The participants agreed that all should take cognizance of this unfortunate trend and put an end to it. The statement read it needs to be clarified that the Army had never accepted any training assistance from the US except for training on newly inducted weapons and some training assistance for the Frontier Corps only. Even that has ceased now. The Forum was informed by the COAS that economic rather than military aid, was more essential for Pakistan. In line with the position taken in the Pak-US strategic dialogue in March 2010, it is being recommended to the Government that the US funds meant for military assistance to the Army, be diverted towards economic aid to Pakistan which can be used for reducing the burden on the common man, according to the ISPR statement. Paying tributes to the resilience and sacrifices of valiant people of Pakistan, the participants assured the nation that the Army will do its utmost and continue to sacrifice for the security and well-being of the people. About the NWA operation, the ISPR said the matter came under discussion. The COAS informed the participants that the Army was following a well thought-out campaign and is under no pressure to carry out operations at a particular time. Future operations, as and when undertaken, will be with political consensus, the statement quoted the consensus of the commanders. The COAS, however, called upon the brave people of NWA to evict all foreigners from their soil and take charge of their land and destiny once again. He emphasised that it was wrong, in principle, to allow others to use our land for fighting their battles. This must not be allowed. The Army in NWA is committed to supporting the people of NWA in this effort, Gen Kayani was quoted as saying. The COAS also informed the Forum that the often quoted figure of US $13-15 billion utilised by the Army in the last ten years is misplaced. Under the head of Coalition Support Fund (CSF), against a total sum of US $13 billion expected from the US, only US $8.6 billion have been received by the Government of Pakistan. The Government has further made available only US $ 1.4 billion to the Army over the last ten years, said the statement, adding that a relatively smaller amount has gone to the Navy and the PAF. The rest approximately US $6 billion have been utilised by the Government of Pakistan for budgetary support which ultimately means the people of Pakistan (The figures quoted here have been reconciled with the Ministry of Finance), read the statement made available through the official news agency APP. The statement said participants of the Conference voiced extreme respect and appreciation for the sacrifices rendered by the troops for the security of the country. They are putting their life at stake for the noble cause of defending their motherland. Nothing should distract them from the job at hand. Their reward lay in the hands of Almighty Allah and in the prayers of the people of Pakistan. The participants, said the statement, paid special tributes to the Shuhada, their families and children. They reiterated their resolve to complete their mission and secure the future of Pakistan, which undoubtedly lies in an Islamic Republic with a tolerant society in the true spirit of Islam, having no room for terrorism. Pakistans internal situation is the most important factor and it cannot be relegated in priority. The Army leadership, said the ISPR, reaffirmed its resolve to continue supporting the democratic system without any preference to any particular political party. It is also determined to lead the fight on terror in partnership with other law-enforcement agencies and in line with the Constitution, the statement read.