'This is war for our survival' Operation after govt writ challenged: PM

LAHORE - Justifying military action against the militants in Bara region of Khyber Agency, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday said that Taliban had challenged government's writ and violated the peace agreement signed with the NWFP government.

"The extremists have demolished girls' schools and are hanging people publicly in violation of the agreement," the PM said while talking to the media at State Guest House.

The prime minister also expressed his concern over abduction of a group of Christians from Peshawar. "The government would not tolerate if people belonging to minorities are abducted from capital city of NWFP, Peshawar," he asserted.

To a question whether the recent military operation had been launched under US pressure, Yousuf Raza denied the charge, saying his government had no foreign pressure and took the action on its own after taking notice of violation of the agreement on the part of militants.

"This is our war and it is for our own survival," Gilani said and added, "Nobody will be allowed to execute others publicly, kidnap minorities, set fire to girls' schools and barber shops in Pakistan."

He added: "We do not take any pressure and I have also explained my policy to US President (George W) Bush that we believe in dialogue and want development, health, education and to eliminate terrorism from the country."

"The Government would not compromise country' sovereignty and honour," the PM maintained.

He said the NWFP government had signed agreements with the tribesmen, and now it was its responsibility to maintain law and order and to protect life and property of the citizens. The PM said his government believed in provincial autonomy.

Yousuf Raza dispelled the impression that the government had retracted from its policy of resolving the conflict in tribal areas through negotiations. He said the government was against use of force, and still believed in finding political solution of the issue in question. He, however, made it clear that the government would not negotiate with the terrorists who had taken up arms and were openly challenging its writ.

He said government had support of the people who wanted peace in the country. He said all decisions would be taken in consultation with the coalition partners.

To a question if foreign hand was involved in fanning trouble in the tribal belt, the PM replied in affirmative, and said that government had the information that some foreigners from Central Asian States were involved in terrorist activities in the troubled region.

When asked whether or not the Government would provide the IAEA access to nuclear scientist, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan for investigation, the PM said,

"the issue of Dr Qadeer is over."

To a question about restoration of the deposed judges, Yousuf said his government ordered release of deposed judges, disbursed their salaries, and would now also restore them. He, however, refused to give any time frame in this regard.