No good Taliban, ready for talks with all: PM
Faizan BangashMonday, October 03, 2011
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Faizan BangashMonday, October 03, 2011
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LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said a reconciliation process with the Taliban was ongoing in Afghanistan, adding that “they are just Taliban, without any debate on whether they are good or bad.”
While talking to a select group of reporters at his residence on Sunday, the PM categorically rejected that the present coalition government had an agreement with the United States on the war against terrorism and said the country would only take steps that were in the interest of Pakistan. “We want to give peace a chance now,” he said. “The national interest is above everything; we will give people a chance to reconcile.”
When asked whether the much-talked-about Haqqani network would also be part of the reconciliation process, the prime minister avoided answering the question directly and said the parliamentary committee would implement the resolutions passed by parliament and the All Parties Conference. “Every institution is working as per the Constitution, and we must keep following the right course. Hence, the parliamentary committee will discharge its duty of supervision to show the strength of parliament,” the premier said.
PM Gilani said that the three Ds (Dialogue, Development and Deterrence) policy of the present government was always adhered to and as per this principle, dialogue was held with Maulana Fazlullah. However, only when he backed out of the agreement was the option of a military operation exercised.
Terming the recently held APC a great success, Gilani said it had never been easy to develop consensus among the political forces but the present government had succeeded in doing this. He said a very loud and clear message of unity had been sent to the world through the APC.
Responding to a question, the premier said the perception that Baloch leaders were not invited to the moot was not true since he had himself contacted Akhter Mengal, Talal Bugti, Senator Hasil Bizenjo and others.
To a query regarding Pak-US relations and the recent threats to the country, Gilani said Admiral Mike Mullen had termed Pakistan ‘important’ whereas Obama had stated the same but not much attention was paid to these positive remarks.
He stated that as far as the threats from the US were concerned, the US had assured that it would not go for unilateral action like the Osama bin Laden incident. Moreover, he said the US had also assured that it would not do anything which showed US ‘footprints’ on Pakistani soil. “The defence of Pakistan is in strong hands and national interest is a top priority,” PM Gilani added.
About the relationship with China, he said China had been our trustworthy friend and was a responsible country and had always advised Pakistan to maintain good ties with other countries.
When asked to comment on the allegations leveled against Pakistan for the murder of Prof Burhanuddin Rabbani, he said Pakistan had great significance in the region owing to its geographical location. He said Pakistan believed that a stable Afghanistan was in favour of Pakistan and stability here would also suit Afghanistan. “There are some common enemies who want to see instability in both parts of the region. But I am ready to offer all kind of cooperation to the Afghan President to counter this common foe,” the PM said.
About the prevailing energy crisis, he said he would chair the Energy Conference today (Monday) and hold a debate on the issue. He said the perception that injustice was being done to Punjab over the energy issue was not true as he himself belonged to this province and was aware of the people’s problems there.
APP adds: Prime Minister Gilani called on Afghan President Hamid Karzai to beware of common enemies and join hands for durable peace in the region. “Certain forces are at work to destabilise Afghanistan and President Karzai should not play into their hands. Instead we should be united to foil their machinations,” he said. Prime Minister Gilani said peace, prosperity, sovereignty, stability and the independence of Afghanistan were the priorities of the Pakistan government
While talking to a select group of reporters at his residence on Sunday, the PM categorically rejected that the present coalition government had an agreement with the United States on the war against terrorism and said the country would only take steps that were in the interest of Pakistan. “We want to give peace a chance now,” he said. “The national interest is above everything; we will give people a chance to reconcile.”
When asked whether the much-talked-about Haqqani network would also be part of the reconciliation process, the prime minister avoided answering the question directly and said the parliamentary committee would implement the resolutions passed by parliament and the All Parties Conference. “Every institution is working as per the Constitution, and we must keep following the right course. Hence, the parliamentary committee will discharge its duty of supervision to show the strength of parliament,” the premier said.
PM Gilani said that the three Ds (Dialogue, Development and Deterrence) policy of the present government was always adhered to and as per this principle, dialogue was held with Maulana Fazlullah. However, only when he backed out of the agreement was the option of a military operation exercised.
Terming the recently held APC a great success, Gilani said it had never been easy to develop consensus among the political forces but the present government had succeeded in doing this. He said a very loud and clear message of unity had been sent to the world through the APC.
Responding to a question, the premier said the perception that Baloch leaders were not invited to the moot was not true since he had himself contacted Akhter Mengal, Talal Bugti, Senator Hasil Bizenjo and others.
To a query regarding Pak-US relations and the recent threats to the country, Gilani said Admiral Mike Mullen had termed Pakistan ‘important’ whereas Obama had stated the same but not much attention was paid to these positive remarks.
He stated that as far as the threats from the US were concerned, the US had assured that it would not go for unilateral action like the Osama bin Laden incident. Moreover, he said the US had also assured that it would not do anything which showed US ‘footprints’ on Pakistani soil. “The defence of Pakistan is in strong hands and national interest is a top priority,” PM Gilani added.
About the relationship with China, he said China had been our trustworthy friend and was a responsible country and had always advised Pakistan to maintain good ties with other countries.
When asked to comment on the allegations leveled against Pakistan for the murder of Prof Burhanuddin Rabbani, he said Pakistan had great significance in the region owing to its geographical location. He said Pakistan believed that a stable Afghanistan was in favour of Pakistan and stability here would also suit Afghanistan. “There are some common enemies who want to see instability in both parts of the region. But I am ready to offer all kind of cooperation to the Afghan President to counter this common foe,” the PM said.
About the prevailing energy crisis, he said he would chair the Energy Conference today (Monday) and hold a debate on the issue. He said the perception that injustice was being done to Punjab over the energy issue was not true as he himself belonged to this province and was aware of the people’s problems there.
APP adds: Prime Minister Gilani called on Afghan President Hamid Karzai to beware of common enemies and join hands for durable peace in the region. “Certain forces are at work to destabilise Afghanistan and President Karzai should not play into their hands. Instead we should be united to foil their machinations,” he said. Prime Minister Gilani said peace, prosperity, sovereignty, stability and the independence of Afghanistan were the priorities of the Pakistan government
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