Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said in unequivocal terms that the government is against every type of terrorism and would enter into a dialogue with only those who would lay down their arms and renounce violence.He expressed these views while talking to the Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who called on him at the Prime Minister House on Tuesday. The meeting continued for two hours. Host of issues with regard to the situation in the tribal areas and defence and mutual interests of the country were discussed during the meeting, sources said.
Gilani said Pakistan would be made a terrorism-free country. He said the implementation of the government strategy would be ensured till the complete elimination of the menace of terrorism and extremism.
The prime minister said the dialogue would only be initiated with those who had laid down their arms. He added that the implementation of the government strategy would be ensured for the establishment of peace in the tribal areas.
People living in the tribal areas intend to see peace and we have complete support of them, he said, adding that the militants would be flushed out from the tribal areas. No one would be allowed to challenge the writ of the government, the prime minister said.
Gilani said the war against terrorism and extremism would continue till its logical end. Declaring the Pakistan Army an asset of the country, the prime minister said every need of the military would be fulfilled.
The sources said Gen Kayani briefed the prime minister on the law and order situation in the tribal areas and the affairs related to national security.He assured him every type of cooperation for peace, the sources added.