KARACHI, Jan 13 Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani has said that Pakistani soil would not be allowed to be used for terrorist activities.
With reference to the Mumbai attacks, he said that if any evidence is provided that Pakistani soil was used for any terrorist activity, we will conduct a probe and if it is proved we will give punishment in accordance with our own laws.
The Prime Minister was talking to reporters after performing the launching of the first Small Tanker‑Cum‑utility Ship (STUS) at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works here on Monday.
He further stated that we are a responsible and a powerful nation and do not need anyone’s crutches and we know how to defend our country.
Therefore, Gillani said, “we will not like to give any irresponsible statement. We will react like a responsible nation”.
Replying to a question, the Prime Minister said that nominees of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) would soon be included in the federal cabinet.
He said that his Advisor Rehman Malik, had gone to London with his permission to meet the MQM chief Altaf Hussain who is an ally and always supported us and had proposed the name of the President.
The Prime Minister refering to a question put to him in Sukkur on Sunday about Pakistan Muslim League’s (N) participation in the lawyers’ movement said it is their internal matter and we have no objection.
He stated as far as independence of judiciary is concerned, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has sacrificed a lot and there is no comparison with any other political party.
The Prime Minister pointed out that he himself had been put in jail when emergency was declared in the country. Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was also put under house arrest. He said “she had ordered that I should lead the movement from Lahore. I led the movement and was arrested and lodged in a police station for three nights and then my house was declared a sub‑jail and anti‑terrorist laws were applied on me and I had to suffer a lot.”
He said as far as institutions are concerned PPP rendered a great deal of sacrifices.
Replying to another question, Gillani said “ we are not against the local government system and are in favour of making it effective. If there are different opinions in various parties then we will try and evolve consensus and bring about improvement by removing the shortcomings in the system but it would not be abolished.”
To a question about any time frame for abolishing the 17th amendment, the Prime Minister said he would not give any deadline in this regard. However, he said that our point of view is clear and it is part of our manifesto. When there will be negotiations and any consensus bill is put forward which will have to be passed with two‑third majority, the consensus of all is required for the purpose, he added.
About a question regarding price hike, the Prime Minister said that there is a global recession. There was increase in petroleum products’ prices as well as prices of food commodities.This had affected the entire globe and Pakistan is also a part of the world.
However, he pointed out that for improving our economy “we have diversified it and have paid attention towards agriculture.”
The Prime Minister said that PPP is in power for the last eight months only whereas our mandate is for five years. In eight months miracles should not be expected. “We have passed through various crisis from day one. However, ultimately we are heading towards stability,” he said.
He stated that with political support we are enjoying, we are meeting the challenges we are faced with.
Replying to a question about drone attacks, he said “we had condemned this in the past as well and condemn these today as well”.
He said there is no understanding with the US government for granting permission for the drone attacks. It is a matter of the country’s sovereignty and anything that affects it cannot be allowed.
The Prime Minister pointed out that we have successfully isolated militants and terrorists from the local tribes. The drone attacks prove counter‑productive and the militants and tribals meet again. The international community is with us on this point and it also wants that there should not be any drone attack.
“If there is any credible and actionable information it should be passed on to us and we will take action ourselves.”
Gillani was of the opinion that the United States is in transition and with the installation of the new government there will be a change in the US policy.
Regarding conferment of award on the US Vice‑President elect, Mr. Biden, he said he is a pro‑Pakistani and had extended a lot of support for democracy in Pakistan.
In the Biden‑Lugar bill there is a 15 billion dollar support for Pakistan.
Prime Minister said because of the vision of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and owing to international pressure, the then president Pervez Musharraf had to remove his uniform and there was a ‘close to free and fair elections in the country’.
To a question, he said that ‘judicial murder’ of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto should also be probed.
He said that Rs. 34 billion Benazir Bhutto Income Support Programme would be made transparent. The world organizations are ready
to put further money into this programme and would like to see it betransparent.
Gillani assured that this programme would be made transparent with the help of NADRA which can identify the deserving.
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