We are fighting the Taliban and reviving democracy: Gilani

"It is our war that we are fighting, not a proxy war for the US, Prime Minister said yesterday, arguing that his country was an ally among equals in the battle against terrorism, not an American or British stooge. Rejecting Gordon Browns charge that Osama bin Laden was probably in Pakistans wild tribal territories and that the Government should have done more to catch him, Yousuf Raza Gilani said: Certainly, hes not there.
The al-Qaeda leader had not been in Pakistan during his tenure since March 2008 he said, in an exclusive interview with The Times, nor had he any intelligence that bin Laden had been on Pakistani soil at any point since the attacks of September 11, 2001.
If the US wanted Pakistan to pursue him it would have to furnish evidence that he was there, he said. He shrugged off Browns criticism, calling him a seasoned parliamentarian and implying that the remarks were intended for British and American ears. He was glad that Brown had clarified them yesterday, he said a reference to the distinctly milder language of the Prime Minister at a joint press conference.
He came to the Times interview from a lunch with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Gilani brushed away reports yesterday that President Barack Obama planned to increase the number of attacks by unmanned drone aircraft within Pakistan, and even extend them to the volatile province of Baluchistan, in pursuit of al-Qaeda and Taleban leaders. Such attacks were entirely counter-productive in uniting militants and civilians, he said, adding that Pakistan was asking the US to hand over technology to let it pursue the terrorists itself. Pakistans public position has been to oppose the drone attacks, but US and British officials assert privately that it is complicit. Gilani declined to say whether he was aware of a planned US increase, saying that we are carefully examining the new policy [for Afghanistan] and the implications for us, but that he was confident that Obama would respect the integrity and prosperity of Pakistan. He denied that drones would prove a point of conflict with the US, arguing that Pakistan wanted a long-term strategic alliance that goes beyond terrorism.
He acknowledged that if Americas planned surge poured more troops into Helmand province there could be a flight of refugees or terrorists into Baluchistan, but declared that we will be able to resolve that. He said, however, that Pakistan had asked the US for practical help such as bomb-proof police stations, training for police and more sophisticated weapons.
On a positive note, he talked down the passionate anti-US feeling gripping much of the country, saying that Pakistanis, horrified by the violence, now see it as our war, backed by parliament.
The Prime Minister and parliament would regain more powers from the President maybe within weeks, he said, as part of Pakistans return to democracy. Zardari, fighting for his survival against an impeachment threat, potential corruption charges and opposition from the Army, recently transferred control of Pakistans nuclear weapons to the Prime Minister. Gilanis fiercest comments were for the Taleban and other militants a new note from a Government whose worst mistake, many argue, was striking a deal with the Taleban in the Swat Valley in February. We have tried dialogue, development and deterrence and exhausted all options, he said. It is our resolve to fight them. He added: We dont differentiate between Pakistan Taleban or Afghan Taleban or al-Qaeda. They all have no religion and no boundaries; they are the same to us. (The Times)