PM stresses political reconciliation

Favours local govt system ; Wants EU support for market access
Peshawar—Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said though the country was confronting the major challenge of terrorism yet the military operation was no solution to terrorism and extremism, and it is the people of the who should step forward and decide their future.

Addressing members of the PPP parliamentary party here on a day-long visit to the provincial metropolis he said his party believed in taking along opposition and all the coalition partners on all national issues since it upheld the politics of reconciliation.

Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister of State for Finance Hina Rabbani Khar, NWFP PPP Head Syed Zahir Ali Shah and other office bearers of PPP NWFP attended the meeting.

The PPPP parliamentary party, in NWFP, it may be recalled, was feeling perturbed with the present coalition government arrangements in the province and complained of being ignored by the senior coalition partner ANP. The PPPP NWFP, the sources said also threatened to part way with the ANP ruling set up in the province if their grievances were not redressed within a month time.

Prime minister, however, advised the party men and the politicians belonging to different parties to adopt reconciliatory posture and live with each other amicably.

He stressed the need for showing flexibility and for pursuing the idea of accommodating each other to ensure that the democratic system flourishes in the country. Premier said there was nothing that was not doable and we would find a solution to the problems being faced by the PPP parliamentarians.

“Unlike the past, my government believes in moving forward by taking along the opposition in all areas for the greater good of the country and people adding that was why they were taking along opposition and coalition partners in its endeavours for the country’s interest.

He said the success in military operation could not be considered completed until the winning of the hearts of people hence military operations were not the permanent solution to the militancy and terrorism in the region.

Gilani hoped that with improvement of law and order, greater investment would pour in with the generation of increased economic activity.

He said the Damage Need Assessment of the terrorism-affected areas of the NWFP had been completed and with the assistance of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan and other donors, the people would soon witness a positive change.

Gilani also paid rich tributes to the people of the province for being the front line in Pakistan’s war against terror and for rendering numerous sacrifices.

He said every development in NWFP in future would be done in accordance with the collective thoughts of its people. He said development work in NWFP would be held in consultation with the PPP leaders. He said record number of development projects have been initiated and completed in last 24 months across the country. He said the Public Sector Development Programme would also be made on the lines suggested by the area representatives.

Prime minister also declared that on the recommendations of the Chief Ministers on forthcoming local bodies polls, it was decided that an identical system would be adopted in all the provinces.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani welcomed the European Union’s (EU) Action Plan for Pakistan and hoped EU would support Pakistan’s case for greater market access to the European markets as well as meaningful negotiations for Free Trade Agreement.

The Prime Minister expressed these views while was addressing luncheon meeting with European Union ambassadors here Thursday.

Governor NWFP Awais Ghani and Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti were also present on the occasion.

The Prime Minister said that Peshawar is a gateway to a future and a shield for Pakistan in war against terror.

He also appreciated the commitment of the EU for its continued engagements with Pakistan adding it is Pakistan’s strong desire to further improve the relations with EU based on long standing solid grounds.

“Pakistan today is faced with unprecedented challenges posed by intolerance, extremism and terrorism. The origin of these threats lies in the three decades old conflict across our western border. The supreme sacrifices of our great leader, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as well as of our soldiers and innocent civilians have fortified our resolve to confront terrorism with our full might. We are committed to this mission despite our limited and depleting resources. We are thankful to European Union (EU) for timely support at different stages for the relief and rehabilitation of internally dislocated persons,” he remarked.

He went on to say that policy of dialogue, development and deterrence is supported by the full force of national consensus adding that that policy has complete support of the people, the State institutions and the political forces of the country.

In the tribal areas, Swat and Malakand, he said deterrence has been put to effective use and because of national effort, Islamabad had cleared and held the areas earlier disrupted by militants.

He informed that the government now needed to build these areas to give comfort to the people.

The people of these areas, he said look for support from the government of and the international community.

He said that in the battle to win the hearts and minds of the people, in our quest to transform their outlooks and opinions, there is no greater litmus test than what we can deliver now. In this context the Malakand Strategy offers a reasonable template. He underlined that Pakistan greatly values the solidarity and friendship of its partners in the European Union.

“The European Union and its members have been steadfast supporters of our cause and commitment for peace. The European Union and its members are among Pakistan’s largest trading partners, the biggest investors in our economy, and our most active development affiliates. Your countries and the European Union have a shared role and a responsibility,” he added.