'Exit policy' from SWA, Malakand finalised: PM

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday told the National Assembly that the federal government in collaboration with NWFP government has finalised ‘Exit Policy’ from South Waziristan and Malakand Division.
He said that the policy was to take care of post-military operation situation in these areas. “The government took every possible step to control the situation in these areas but when all options were exhausted, we had to launch the military operation against the militants,” Gilani said. He, however, added that the military operation was not a solution to any problem.
He said that the government along with the provincial government has started ‘Damage Assessment Survey’ and ‘Post-crisis Need Assessment’ to carry out administrative, economic, social and cultural initiatives to stabilize situation in the affected areas.
The Prime Minister said that a roadmap has been prepared for reconstruction of Malakand Division and added the world community wanted to support Pakistan for reconstruction in Malakand. “We will make it a model division. We are establishing a ‘Trust Fund’ for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the areas,” Yousuf Raza Gilani said.
Later, brushing aside the allegation of rigging in elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, Minister for Information and Acting Governor Gilgit-Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira said that elections were free and fair and level-playing field was provided to all political parties.
Responding to the point of order raised by Marvi Memon, Kaira said the PPP won eight seats in 2004 when the state machinery was used to win maximum seats. Without naming anyone, Qamar Zaman said that a father of now sitting MNA worked hard against PPP in G-B in 2004.