Gilani asks US to Review Policy on Drone Attacks

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday said United States should review its policy on drone attacks as it is proving to be counterproductive. Addressing office bearers of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) from Balochistan here at a meeting at Prime Minister House, he said drone attacks harm the government’s efforts to fight militancy and terrorism.

“Drone attacks are counterproductive as these reunite tribesmen and militants,” he said.

He assured that there would be no drone attacks on the territory of Balochistan.Gilani said he sought assurance from US special envoy Richard Holbrooke that more deployment of their forces on the border of Afghanistan would not push militants into Balochistan.The armed forces and intelligence agencies of Pakistan and US should get their act together to avoid any spill over effect of additional troops deployment in Afghanistan, he further said.Gilani said nobody will be allowed to form state within state and challenge writ of the government.

Giving reasons for the military action in Swat and Malakand, he said the miscreants were killing troops and policemen and were blowing up schools, colleges and roads.

“Is this Islam? These elements have maligned the name of our religion. Islam is the religion of peace,” he said adding the miscreants are working to destabilize the country and damage its economy.He said no war can be won without the support of the people and the nation stood united against the oppression of the militants.He lauded the sacrifices of internally displaced persons and vowed to rehabilitate them with honour and security.

“The whole nation is thankful to these people as they sacrificed their today for the nation’s tomorrow.”

The military operation will be concluded in the shortest possible time, he added.He said more personnel will be inducted into the law enforcement agencies, pay of army and police will be raised and insurance facility will be given to them to protect their families.The Prime Minister said the government wants a stable Balochistan which is at par with other provinces in terms of development and infrastructure.He asked the party representatives to forward suggestions before he holds an All Parties Conference (APC) to evolve a united strategy on Balochistan.The National Security Committee led by Senator Raza Rabbani has been tasked to finalize recommendations on Balochistan which will be presented to the APC.The Prime Minister acknowledged the sacrifices and services rendered by the people of Balochistan.

He said his government is willing to talk to any Baloch leader to remove their grievances. He said his government apologized for the mistakes of the past.The Prime Minister again pledged the federal financial support of Rs. 50 billion for the province. This amount is besides the Rs. three billion each for provincial budget and Quetta development package.

The government has also acceded to the demand of the Balochistan government to let it spend the unutilized money of Rs. 21 billion from the last year, he added.Federal Ministers Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Dr. Babar Awan, Syed Khurshid Shah, Naveed Qamar, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani, Senator Raza Rabbani and President PPP Balochistan Haji Lashkari Raisani attended the meeting.