Gilani for increased world cooperation in combating terrorism
ISLAMABAD
:
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has underlined the need for increased cooperation of the world community and the
United States in combating the global war against terrorism in a more effective manner.
“Pakistan has the will and ability to fight but they will have to enhance our capacity,” Gilani told BBC in an interview.
The Prime Minister said during his recent visit to the United States, he talked to President George W. Bush that there
should be more cooperation in sharing more actionable and credible intelligence with Pakistan.
“It is not a Charlie Wilson’s war. It is a guerilla war,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan has conveyed to US that their strategy with regard to terrorism has failed and remained
counter-productive. “I want to convince the world and US that their strategy has failed and that has not given any
results.”
Gilani said Pakistan has rendered un-matched sacrifices in war against terrorism as “you have seen that the combined forces
fighting in Afghanistan, their casualties and injuries are much less than alone in Pakistan.”
To a question, the Prime Minister appreciated the performance of ISI agency and said “it is highly professional and useful
for Pakistan and it had been working with America for a long time.”
In reply to another question, he said Pakistan has never asked US to attack militants inside its territory.
“Pakistan only wants that there should more cooperation on intelligence side, allied forces should give us actionable and
credible information and we have the right to hit them.”
Gilani said Pakistan has deployed about 150,000 troops along the border with Afghanistan and intends to deploy more.
PM Gilani said both houses of the parliament during a joint sitting have passed a unanimous resolution with regard to
security situation.
“I feel no war can be won without the support of the people, now whole nation is behind the government for the support of
combating extremism and terrorism” the Prime Minister said.
He said Pakistan army is fighting in the tribal areas with full support of the masses. Besides, local people of the
areas have started raising Lashkars to assist the government against the militant elements.
The Prime Minister said now people in Pakistan have started realizing and feeling that war against terrorism is their own
war.
