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| India-Pakistan |
| Terrorists' activities justify airstrikes: PM |
| 2008-11-16 |
| Foreigners, including Uzbeks, Chechens, Afghans and Saudis, are involved in cross-border activities, which justify airstrikes by international forces on Pakistani territory, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday. Addressing a press conference at the Multan airport after arriving in the city to inaugurate two road projects, he said that the Pakistan Army was assigned to check extremism in the restive parts of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the NWFP. He said that the army had adopted an effective strategy to eliminate militancy and extremism in troubled parts of the country that would eliminate foreign elements in the area, which would usher in an era of peace, stability and prosperity. He said that Pakistan is a sovereign country and would not allow any one disturb its peace. Halted attacks: Gilani hoped that the new United States government led by Barack Obama will stop the cross-border attacks by US forces in the Tribal Areas. He said Pakistan was a responsible nation and has been raising the issue of American air attacks on its territories at diplomatic level. The prime minister said the US administration was in a transitory phase and things would improve with the new government taking charge of the office. He said that the government welcomed dialogue with those who were ready to renounce terrorism. Responding to a question about the kidnapping of an Iranian diplomat, he said the government was duty-bound to provide security not only to foreign diplomats but its own citizens as well. Economy: Gilani said the government was taking multi-dimensional steps to minimise economic hardships of the people, adding that things would improve within four to five months and the impact of global recession on Pakistan would ease. He said that the government was previously spending Rs 60 billion on wheat import, but by raising the wheat support price, the exchequer will bear the burden of Rs 10 billion in subsidy only. He said the government would purchase wheat and rice from the farmers at declared rates. Gilani said he would also direct provincial governments to take action against those hoarding fertiliser. He said there was no rift in the coalition of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Punjab, adding that the PML-N could talk to the PPP co-chairman if it wanted to quit the coalition. Responding to a question about the possibility of repealing the 17th Amendment and Article 58(2b), Gilani said President Asif Ali Zardari had asked parliament to form a committee for this purpose, but it was still awaited. Later Gilani inaugurated a new terminal at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) in Karachi, a private TV channel reported. He said KPT's development was in accordance with the PPP's vision and investors should be included in the country's economic programme. |
| Posted by:Fred |