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Sunday, May 16, 2010
Gilani seeks world support against terrorism* PM says international community must support Pakistan in building its capacity to cope with challenges
* Western media should send positive signalsLAHORE: Pakistan has done everything within its ability and capacity to fight terrorism and now the world must come forward and help the country do more, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Saturday.
“The world has to support us in building our capacity. Pakistan has owned the war on terrorism. It is a courageous stance and the world needs to supplement our efforts,” he told a seven-member German media delegation that called on him at the Prime Minister’s House.
The prime minister said the international community had to come forward and support Pakistan in building its capacity to cope with challenges emerging out of its role as a frontline state in the war against terrorism.
Gilani said Pakistan’s biggest victory in the war on terrorism was that the entire nation was united to eliminate the threat, adding that the second achievement was the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) within a short period of time in the areas cleared by military operations.
He said Pakistan’s role as a frontline state had been duly acknowledged by the international community, which now realised that the country was part of the solution to curb terrorism.
Gilani also drew the world’s attention to the presence of over 3.5 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan. He said the world had totally forgotten about them and Pakistan alone was catering to their needs.
“The areas cleared of militancy and certain regions in FATA require focused efforts for socio-economic development and the international community has yet to fulfil its commitments,” he added.
He said Pakistan was cutting its development expenditures and contributing to the uplift of the areas on its own.
Gilani said the media in Pakistan was cooperating with the nation to eliminate terrorism and extremism, however, the western media should send positive signals about the country instead of criticising it. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk