News
Sunday, May 30, 2010
‘Gen Kayani to decide on N Waziristan operation’
* Gilani vows not to bow down to extremism, terrorism
* Military action to be conducted wherever govt writ is challengedLAHORE/SWAT: Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani will decide about a military operation in North Waziristan, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Saturday.
Addressing a public gathering for the distribution of compensatory cheques among the victims of Swat and Malakand, the PM said the government’s writ would be established at all costs.
The PM vowed not to bow down to extremism and terrorism, and to launch a military operation anywhere that served as a safe haven for terrorists.
He said if the government failed to protect the people and their property, it will prove that it has been unable to fulfil its obligations, and “we will not let that happen”.
Govt writ: Gilani said, “Military operations will be conducted at all places where the government’s writ is challenged.” He said the stability of Pakistan and the world are interlinked.
Accepting the long-standing demands of the people of Swat and Malakand, the PM also announced the construction of a university in Swat and approved the Malakand Tunnel, for which funds would be obtained from the aid under the Kerry-Lugar law and the Friends of Democratic Pakistan.
Gilani also condemned Friday’s anti-minorities incidents in Lahore and said the government will do all it can to protect the lives of the people, including minorities.
He recalled that the decision to conduct a military operation in Swat and Malakand was taken as a last resort, as the government wanted to ensure that peace was not disturbed and people were protected at all costs.
Gilani said the nation had foiled the militants’ agenda to destabilise the country and declared in unequivocal terms that peace and prosperity in Pakistan had a direct effect on regional and world peace.
“I’ve told the world community clearly that maintenance of peace in Pakistan is closely linked to their prosperity. The government would take military action wherever writ of the government is challenged,” the PM said.
He said the nation had conveyed a clear message to the world that it has all the potential to protect itself against all kinds of aggression, internal or external.
Gilani also said military actions are not a permanent solution to the problem, and now it is the job of the political leadership to bring social reforms and concentrate on capacity building of law enforcement agencies to meet the post-operation situation. daily times monitor/app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk