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| India-Pakistan |
| Gilani hints at military operation in Orakzai |
| 2009-12-13 |
| [Dawn] Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday that the government was ready for launch of a military operation in Orakzai Agency if efforts for a 'peaceful resolution' failed. 'We will first try to convince elements in Orakzai to accept a peaceful resolution,' he said, referring to proposals for a negotiated settlement made by some politicians, including Imran Khan, of the Tehrik-i-Insaaf. (According to Reuters, the prime minister said the army had ended its offensive against the Taliban in South Waziristan and was shifting focus to Orakzai. 'The operation has finished in South Waziristan. Now there is talk of Orakzai,' Mr Gilani said). A spokesman later said, Mr Gilani's remark on Waziristan were taken out of context. The prime minister made the remarks at functions in Karachi and Lahore. Talking to journalists after presiding over a convocation of the Government College University Lahore, Mr Gilani also said the federal government was considering offering a general amnesty in Balochistan. He said his close aides were in touch with Brahmdagh Bugti in furtherance of the government's policy of holding talks with dissenters. He said that 89 arrested people who were not involved in 'heinous' crimes in Balochistan would be released soon. The prime minister said the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NCTA) had been set up to curb militancy. The authority, he added, would gather intelligence and share it with federal and provincial governments. He said the strategy was aimed at uniting all intelligence and law-enforcement agencies and the interior ministry had already submitted a summary to the PM's Secretariat in this regard. 'We want to strengthen capacity of the provinces and the federal government,' the prime minister said, adding that authorities like NCTA were working in several developed countries, including the United States, Britain and France. Mr Gilani said he had raised the issue of Indian involvement in Balochistan with New Delhi, adding that the question of an Indian hand in terrorist acts elsewhere in the country would be taken up at appropriate forums after thorough investigations. In reply to a question about the accord on the National Finance Commission award, Mr Gilani said: 'Difficult tasks can be accomplished only by democratic forces, and not by dictators.' He said the committee on constitutional reforms would soon take a decision about repeal of the 17th Amendment. 'We are committed to doing away with this controversial amendment and implementing the Charter of Democracy.' Mr Gilani stressed that parliament should be made so powerful that nobody dare play with or deface the Constitution. 'There is a dire need to strengthen institutions, not the prime minister.' 'Nobody is above the law,' Mr Gilani said in reply to a question about alleged violation of Pakistani law by foreign diplomats. The prime minister said terrorists were trying to stall development, but the government was determined to maintain peace and harmony. The government, he added, could achieve this goal with the support of the academia and youth. 'Stand by the government and safeguard Pakistan' was his message to them. |
| Posted by:Fred |