No one can dare attack Pakistan: PM

PESHAWAR - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan is an independent sovereign country and no one can dare attack on its soil.

"We should play our role with more responsibility. Nobody needs to worry that anyone can cast a malign look towards Pakistan and such speculations are totally wrong," the Prime Minister made it clear while talking to the journalists here on Sunday.

However, in the same breath, he said, "We should look within ourselves," adding that certain quarters wanted to destabilise Pakistan. Their conspiracies would have to be foiled with full force.

The Prime Minister said that the top most priority of the present government was to bring peace and tranquility in the tribal belt. In addition, to change the fortunes of its dwellers, mega developmental projects would soon be launched in that restive part of the country, for which the government was seriously pondering upon, he added.

The Premier said that FATA had a significant position in the region and soon a developmental package would be announced for it, claiming that almost 99 per cent people of the country wanted peace and progress.

He condemned the killing of security forces and civilians in Hangu incident and termed it a cowardly act. He said the personnel of the law enforcement agencies were friends of the people who wanted peace. "I salute the martyrs of security forces for their bravery and dutifulness."

In reply to a question, he said the federal government was at the back of the frontier government in its efforts to contain Talibanization and declared that there was no danger to Peshawar or any other part of the province. The government was not oblivious to its responsibilities in meeting the challenges of establishing lasting peace and harmony in the country.

Replying to a query, Gilani said that government would soon review the NFC Award. He added that provincial autonomy and provincial rights would be given to the federating units, which had been their right and demand since long.

When asked about the visit of the US chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Admiral Mike Mullen to Pakistan, the Prime Minister replied it was a routine visit, as both Pakistan and the US had cordial relations and assisting each other in various fields, including health, education, defence and economy.

Regarding the prevailing situation in FATA, he said that strategy would be evolved according to the wishes and aspirations of tribesmen and the policies and steps of the NWFP government regarding peace in the province would be fully supported.

He said he held detailed talks with the Governor NWFP and Chief Minister over the prevailing situation in FATA and reviewed the security arrangements taken by the provincial government. Every step was being taken for the maintenance of peace in the tribal areas and NWFP, he added.

About flour and power crises, he informed that the chief ministers of all four provinces would be invited to discuss these important matters in detail and identify shortcomings in the upcoming meeting of the federal cabinet.

While answering a question related to the expansion of cabinet, the Prime Minister said that he had been working with a small cabinet since the formation of his government. "Resignations of PML-N ministers have not been accepted so far. We are still waiting for them to take on their jobs again," he added.

In reply to a question, the Prime Minister said the menace of terrorism and extremism badly tarnished image of the county abroad and it is high time that the entire nation should stand and unite against evil designs of a handful of elements.

Earlier flanked by the NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Khan, Chief Minister NWFP Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, ANP Provincial President Afrasaib Khattak, Federal Minister for Water and Power Perviz Ashraf, Senator Babar Awan, the Prime Minister arrived Bilour House amid tight security.

He condoled with Federal Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, NWFP Senior Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Bashir Ahmad Bilour and Senator, Riaz Ahmad Bilour, at the sad demise of their mother. He offered Fateha and prayed for the eternal rest of the departed soul. He also prayed for the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with courage.