The United States should avoid talks of "hot pursuit" of militants into Pakistan's Tribal Areas and give the newly formed government time to enact its own policies without undue pressure, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said on Sunday.In an exclusive chat with the Business Plus TV channel, he said that Pakistan was in favour of the war on terror, but it was unjustified of the United States to expect miracles from a four-month old government. Referring to the recent 'tough' statements from the US, he condemned the infiltration of coalition forces into Pakistani territory, saying that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani would take up the issue with US President George W Bush during their upcoming meeting. He also categorically said that Pakistan was against extremism and terrorism as it had lost one of its greatest leaders, Benazir Bhutto, to the twin menaces.
Countrymen: The PPP co-chairman said that the war against terrorism was being fought in Pakistan's best interests. However, he added, the country needed to pursue dialogue in FATA, in addition to employing force, because it was facing its own countrymen. He said the PPP-led government preferred to resolve law and order by taking all parties onboard, rather than through force. He said the country was still paying the price for the policies followed by its former leaders.