Pakistan's Prime Miniser Yousaf Raza Gillani, who is scheduled to meet the most powerful man on the earth US President George W. Bush on 29th of this month, has predicted that the world is going to witness another tragedy more horrible than 9/11. For the first time rulers of Pakistan have been accepting the fact that terrorism is problem for the whole world. The breeding ground for terrorism is Pakistan. But who are responsible for the creation of terrorism? The corrupt politicians and rulers can rightly be held responsible for terrorism in Pakistan. Sometime they act like criminals.
According to media report, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Monday that incidents like 9/11 could happen again if foreign militants are not dealt with sternly. He, however, claimed that the United States is supporting Pakistan’s three-pronged strategy to counter terrorism.
He was talking to journalists on the occasion of the prize distribution ceremony of the National Motorway and Highway Police (NH&MP) at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. Foreign militants, including Chechens, Uzbeks and Tajiks, are present in the tribal areas and their activities are increasing day by day, he said.
“A majority of these foreigners is hiding in the tribal areas and their presence raises the spectre of another 9/11,” the prime minister observed. “Pakistan is a sovereign state and nobody would be allowed to interfere in its internal affairs,” he averred.
Appointment of standing committees’ chairmen, parliamentary secretaries and expansion in the cabinet would take place soon but no final date could be given in this connection, the prime minister said. The prime minister denied decisions are being held in the Zardari House. He said he never visited the Zardari House after assuming the office of the prime minister.
Faizan Bangash adds from Lahore: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Monday coalition partners would meet in Islamabad on July 23, 24 to devise a joint strategy for curbing terrorism and improving law and order.
“We have no romance with President Musharraf and it is up to parliament to decide the issue of his impeachment,” he said while addressing the media at Lahore airport. To a question on differences between the PPP and the PML-N and reluctance of the latter to rejoin the cabinet, he said, “Nawaz is our partner and he will never leave us.”
The prime minister said he had been in regular contact with Nawaz and he also discussed the issue of the cabinet expansion with him. He said Nawaz had responded positively and the matter would be discussed with Nisar Ali Khan.
“The government will complete the cabinet very soon. Coalition leaders, including Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Asfandyar and I would meet in Islamabad on July 23 and 24 to devise a strategy for curbing terrorism, suicide attacks and improving the law and order situation,î he elaborated.
To a query about a possible US attack on Pakistan, He said, “We are a sovereign country which has a clear policy and no one has the right to interfere in our internal affairs.” He said rising terrorism in the country was a matter of concern for the population and 99 per cent people of the country wanted peace. Commenting on the ongoing operation in tribal areas, particularly the Hangu operation, he said when the local administration wanted to continue the operation, it couldn’t be stopped. He said whenever any local or provincial government asked for help it was the duty of the federal government to extend assistance.
To a question about the PPP romance with President Musharraf, Gilani said, “We are not romantic Punjabis. We have no romance with the president. It is parliament that can decide the impeachment of President Musharraf.”
When asked if he was satisfied with the 100-day performance of his government, the prime minister said the government was not yet complete and ministers couldn’t be inducted in the second phase of the cabinet formation due to resignations of PML-N members.
He said it was not possible for him to explain details in a short time of the 100-day performance but he would take reports from ministers of all departments.To a question about a government plan to provide relief to the people, particularly from rising inflation, Gilani said it was certainly the responsibility of the government to check prices and provide relief to the masses. He said inflation was a worldwide problem and prices of food and oil were increasing in the whole world, which also affected Pakistan badly.
APP adds: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday said the United States supports his government’s policy on combating terrorism and extremism in the country.However, Gilani said the US has its own concerns over the involvement of foreign elements in terrorist activities on Pakistani soil so that there are no major mishaps in future.
The prime minister said terrorists should be separated from the people who want peace in their areas.To a question, the prime minister said parliament was sovereign in its decisions and the government believes in consultation with all parties.
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