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Islamabad: Pakistani political parties have lent full support to the government in facing the threat to national security emanating from India's accusations following the Mumbai terror attacks.
The unanimous backing came in a joint statement issued overnight by leaders of the political parties after a conference convened and chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.
The conference expressed "steadfast resolve of the Pakistani nation to defend its honour and dignity as well as Pakistan's sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity".
"All political parties and democratic forces firmly support the government and the armed forces in defending Pakistan's security interests," a statement said.
The political leadership took strong exception to "unsubstantiated allegations made in haste against Pakistan".
They also expressed the desire to pursue constructive engagement with India to build mutual trust for settlement of all outstanding disputes for the establishment of friendly and good neighbourly relations with India.
Speaking to the media after the conference, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmoud Qureshi said Pakistan had offered its full cooperation to India to investigate the ghastly Mumbai attacks.
The foreign minister regretted the "jingoistic" trend in the Indian media.
Nawaz Sharif, former prime minister and chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-N, told the media that the situation arising after the Mumbai attack should be handled with great care and wisdom.
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