News
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Pakistan concerned over US aid cuts: Gilani
* Prime minister asserts Pakistan must be included in Afghan reconciliation process
* Says government is serious in addressing reservations of MQM
Staff Report
QUETTA: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the government and people of Pakistan are deeply concerned about recent statements made by some American officials pertaining to reduction in aid to Pakistan.
Addressing a news conference at the Chief Minister (CM) Secretariat on Wednesday, the prime minister said, “We are into war against terrorism. We are fighting for the whole world, and the world is reaping benefits of our war against terrorism.”
“Pak-American ties are based on mutual respect and trust, but we are deeply concerned about some statements made by the American officials regarding cut in the military aid,” he added.
He was flanked by Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi, Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani, Federal Minister for Information Dr Firdaus Ashiq Awan and Interior Minister Rehman Malik on the occasion.
Commenting on PPP-MQM relations, he said MQM expressed its trust in the government for more than three years. “Both parties have their own manifestos and have different opinions, but the government is serious in addressing their reservations.”
Responding to a question, the prime minister said Pakistan supported the reconciliation process in Afghanistan but at the same time, “We ask to include our country in this process. Pakistan must be included in evolving any Afghan based strategy so that Pakistan could not be destabilised from the policy. We do not want that such decisions which were taken 30 years back be repeated again.”
He pointed out the overthrow of monarchy in Afghanistan and subsequent induction of Red Army Contingent of the defunct Soviet Union. “That action for the foreign power pushed 3.5 million refugees onto our soil and they are still living at refugee camps,” he added.
“The chief executives of Afghanistan and Pakistan, foreign ministers, army chief and heads of intelligence agencies should be present so that issues could be settled at the official level,” he added.
The prime minister said that the federal government had also announced that it would bear 50 percent expenses of the NCHD and Sindh agreed to the decision. “The government has released over Rs 500 million to pay salaries till June,” he said, adding, “NCHD is now a provincial subject and it is for the provincial government to take a decision. The government is ready to bear fifty per cent cost or expenses of the NCHD functioning in any province.”
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk