The Associated Press of Pakistan
Gilani asks US not to ignore Pakistan in crediting victories
LONDON, July 21 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said Pakistan considered its relations with the United States as ‘extremely important’ and stressed that victories in fight against terrorism must be credited to Pakistan. “As we [Pakistan and US] are working together in fighting militancy, victories should be shared along with losses,” Gilani said at a press conference here at the conclusion of his four-day visit.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that Pakistan and the United States were undergoing a strained period after the unilateral action by the US in Abbottabad against al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
He said the incident resulted in misunderstanding between the two countries after Pakistan voiced its reservations for not being taken into confidence for violating its sovereignty.
Gilani said Pakistan would not allow any restrictions forced on it from outside and added that the country’s sovereign parliament had already adopted a resolution opposing such step.
When asked about the need for a more independent foreign policy, he said the Parliament had all the rights to review national strategies and invited the members to work on it, if required.
On relations with India, the Prime Minister said the two countries had come on the table to discuss all the issues, including the Kashmir dispute.
He said Pakistan and India had realized that their relations should not become hostage to the Mumbai incident and added that the foreign ministers would be meeting on July 27 to discuss a range of issues.
“If the two countries do not talk, the beneficiaries will be the militants,” he said.
When asked to comment on the arrest of Kashmiri leader Ghulam Nabi Fai in the United States, Gilani clarified that he [Fai] belonged to the Occupied Kashmir and his detention had nothing to do with Pakistan’s clear-cut policy on Kashmir.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the current political situation in Pakistan and said that political leaders in the country had always been a soft target to be accused of corruption in an attempt to derail the democracy.
He regretted that contrary to this, military dictators had never been charged with corruption despite their policies that led to this menace.
Gilani said political leaders had paid a huge price for democracy, however, come what may, he would keep on defending democracy.
When asked how long would be the patch-up between the government and the MQM, Gilani said he hoped for the better as both were allies for the last three years and all amendments in the Constitution had been backed by MQM (Muttahida Qaumi Movement).
He welcomed the review of decision by MQM chief Altaf Hussain and said it was necessary for the country’s stability and future.
On Seraiki province, the Prime Minister said it was a long-standing demand of the people of area for their rights and he had full respect for the public opinion.
He said the government was striving to meet the demands of energy crisis and mentioned workable project of 1100 Mega Watts of electricity with Iran, wind mills project with China and the recent agreement by National Command Authority on the expansion of nuclear power plants.
As regards the new prime minister in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, he said it would be decided in view of the party majority after holding of election on reserved seats.
On elevation of Hina Rabbani Khar as Foreign Minister, the Prime Minister said she had the capability of handling the important assignments. As today’s foreign policy was also based on economic issues, the decision of her appointment was made in view of her performance in the last five and a half years as the economic affairs minister, he added.
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