Blaming “all intelligence agencies of the world” for failing to uncover the terror leader’s compound, Mr Gilani reiterated the country’s resolve to eliminate terrorism and said an inquiry had been ordered.

“We are determined to get to the bottom of how, when and why about OBL’s presence in Abbottabad. An investigation has been ordered,” he said, later adding that it would be conducted by a senior general.

“Let me also affirm the government’s full confidence in the high command of the Pakistan Armed Forces and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI),” he said.

Mr Gilani also criticised the US raid that caught and killed the al-Qaeda chief, despite an earlier statement that it had been a “great victory” for counterterror efforts.