News
Monday, May 30, 2011
Commission on Abbottabad incident soonNo deadlines in politics: Gilani
* PM says no more Abbottabad-type acts will be acceptable
* No compromise on self-respect of country
* ISI-CIA relations repaired to a great extent
* Nuclear assets in safe hands
LAHORE: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the government is aware of its democratic responsibilities and an independent commission on Abbottabad incident would be constituted shortly as per the demand of the opposition, adding that there are no deadlines in politics as democracy teaches reasoning and adjustment.
During a meeting with senior journalists at his residence on Sunday, he said, “Unilateral acts like Abbottabad incident will not be acceptable to us,” and added that he himself moved a resolution in NA against drone attacks.
About the drone attacks, the premier said no compromise would be made on the sovereignty and self-respect of the country, adding that drone attacks were counter- productive as these united the Taliban who were separated as a result of the efforts of the government. Replying to a query regarding the ISI-CIA relations, he said that the estranged relations between the two intelligence agencies had been repaired to a great extent.
The prime minister said the government had sought US assistance to overcome load shedding in the country for providing immediate relief to masses. He said that the US leadership had assured assistance to the Pakistani government in providing cheap electricity to masses.
Gilani said that he has asked the US leadership for more trade than aid, adding that market access to the Pakistani businessmen would strengthen the country’s economy.
Regarding US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent visit, he said that Hillary Clinton and Senator John Kerry had supported Pakistan’s stance on the recent Abbottabad incident.
He said that the US administration had not alleged Pakistan of incompetence or complacency in the Osama bin Laden killing case, adding that these statements were issued by some of the US generals.
Taking strong exception to PTI chief Imran Khan’s statement, Gilani rejected Imran’s claims, saying that he did not own any assets abroad.
“I challenge Imran to prove that I have foreign assets abroad and I will donate all such assets to the PTI party funds,” he vowed.
The premier dispelled the impression that Pakistan had been isolated on the international front, stressing that Pakistan had complete backing of the West, European Union (EU), China, Saudi Arabia and Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). “Our relations with our neighbours have improved a great deal,” he argued.
Regarding the safety of nuclear assets, Gilani said that nuclear assets of the country were in safe hands, adding that the US leadership also testified to the fact. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk