Pak PM to raise issue of drone strikes with US
American and Nato missile strikes inside Pakistan are counterproductive in the war on terror and the world should urge the United States to stop the incursions, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday.
"We are a nuclear power but we will not demonstrate any irresponsible attitude," he told a press conference after returning from his visit to Turkey. "But we will take measures for protection of integrity of Pakistan."
Gilani said he would raise the issue in a meeting with the US ambassador, adding that Afghan President Hamid Karzai would also take the matter up with Nato.
The prime minister said he had told world leaders during the World Economic Forum that he attended that Pakistan was committed to fighting terrorism.
"The whole world is thinking of helping Pakistan in the present economic crisis. They have great feelings for Pakistan. A stable Pakistan is in the interest of the whole world," he said.
To a question, Gilani said the new US president would have to improve ties with Pakistan.
The prime minister said the government was trying to isolate Taliban from reconcilable elements in the Tribal Areas, and that he had told world leaders in Turkey and China that his government was pursuing the policy of three Ps in FATA peace, progress and prosperity.
Gilani said Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Kayani would soon visit Turkey "to enhance co-operation between the two countries in the defence sector." Pakistan and Turkey had agreed to boost mutual trade from $700 million to $1 billion, he added. To a question, the prime minister said 'good news' about the anticipated expansion in the federal cabinet would be announced 'the day after tomorrow' (Monday).
He said a decision on whether Pakistan should borrow from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would be made 'in national interest', adding that the government would not consider new taxes on the agriculture sector. "We will take only those steps in the prevailing financial crisis which are in national interest."
Regarding his statement about a secular education system in Pakistan similar to that in Turkey, he said he did not intend to criticise the curriculum but wanted to bring uniformity in the system.
Comments