Army operation in Swat, Malakand division to be over soon: Pakistan's PM

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said as the army operation in Swat and Malakand division will soon be over, the displaced people will be sent back to their homes with respect and dignity. “The nation will soon hear the good news, soon the army operation will be over. Survey is being conducted after which the process of reconstruction will start,” Gilani told media persons here at the PM House.

The Prime Minister said the government was committed to undertake and complete the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in a transparent manner through the involvement of all stakeholders.

He said the government wants to ensure transparency in the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of IDPs, adding, “the whole process will be placed on a web-site”.

The Prime Minister said after receiving some complaints about the distribution of Rs. 5000 cash among the IDPs by Bait ul Maal, he has directed the Special Support Group (SSG) to bring this scheme into the mainstream.

Prime Minister Gilani described terrorism as “a cancer” and said it has no religion, boundaries or morals, adding, the whole nation including civil society, media and political parties were united on the issue and wanted decisive and result-oriented action.

He assured the nation that the government will continue to fight terrorism and will take this action to logical conclusion.

The Prime Minister said and the country and economy cannot achieve progress until this menace is rooted out. “The law and order and the economic development are inter-related.”

Gilani, however, added that the military operation - which was launched after the writ of government was challenged - is not a permanent solution and “we have to find durable solution.”

He said the capacity of police and law enforcement agencies will be strengthened in NWFP including FATA and PATA with the recruitment of more police personnel in these areas, adding, till the new police force is trained, the government will recruit ex-army officials in the police to fill the vacuum.

The Prime Minister paid rich tributes to Jawans and Officers of Pakistan Army and personnel of law enforcement agencies who embraced martyrdom for their country and nation in the operation.

Gilani said the government has other important issues and challenges to confront including poverty, education, load-shedding etc., which need immediate attention.

About power shortage, he said, the issue of load-shedding was thoroughly debated in the cabinet meeting today and a cabinet committee has been constituted to look into the issue. The cabinet committee held its first meeting today and will further discuss the issue in its meeting on Thursday, he added.

The Prime Minister said the government was committed to address the issue of power shortage, which emerged due to lack of planning by the previous governments.

Similarly, he said the present government owing to its vision and approach about the future water requirements in the country has allocated enough funds for 32 dams to be built in various parts of the country to address water problems.

Prime Minister Gilani said that under the present circumstances, political stability was of utmost importance and the government was fully focussed on this.

He said political stability leads to economic stability.

The Prime Minister about the much talked about creation of a new province said that it is the responsibility of PPP, which has representation in all provinces and Kashmir, not to destabilise the country.

“At present we have to resolve the problems the country is in...we don’t want to play to the galleries and those talking about a new province know that it needs two thirds of majority in the National Assembly,” he added.

He went on to add that he will carry out so much development work for the Seraiki belt which no one has ever done before.

He categorically stated that Balochistan continues to remain one of government’s top priority.

“There is a sense of deprivation amongst the people of Balochistan and they must get their due rights.”

He said all the problems of the province along with constitutional issues would be resolved.

Speaking about relations with India, Prime Minister Gilani reiterated that Pakistan wants to establish good neighbourly relations with its eastern neighbour.

He said while starting the confidence building measures (CBMs), he wants that the focus should be on resolving the basic problems of the two peoples like poverty and education.

“We should not waste on defence and the two peoples want redressal of issues and removal of mutual tensions,” he stressed.

Replying to a question about water issues with India, he said this will be taken up when diplomatic talks between the two neighbours resume.

“We are already discussing it at various fora. We are not ignorant on these issues and this is extremely important to us.”

Prime Minister Gilani also announced that he has been constantly monitoring the performance of his ministers and soon there will be a re-shuffle in the cabinet.

“We want right people at the right job and want them to work on areas for which they have been groomed.”

Later, during question and answer session, the Prime Minister said that now there is a growing realization among the US and the world at large that Pakistan is fighting the war on terror for its own sake.

“Now they realize that we mean business. We are not mercenaries. The whole world is going to benefit by winning the war and the international community should come and support us.”

To a question about relations with Saudi Arabia, he said Pakistan continues to enjoy fraternal ties with the brotherly Muslim country.

He said there have been high level contacts with the Saudi leadership during which the king expressed his warm sentiments for Pakistan and its people.

He said he has already held a meeting with the Saudi monarch and the Chief of the Army staff has also had a very cordial interaction with him.

He said that the issue of Saudi oil facility for Pakistan will also be taken up with Saudi officials.

About rising inflation, he said this is not a Pakistan-specific problem and is the result of global recession. The government, he added, to stabilise the economy and safeguard the future of the country has to take some tough decisions.

About the ongoing military operation, he said the army has broken the back of top command of militants, the second and third tier has already been eliminated and is close to its top leadership.

He said strict security will be provided to the Ulema as they have a great role in eliminating the curse of terrorism and suicide bombings by motivating the public opinion.

To a question about the powers of the President and the Prime Minister, he replied: “I’ll follow the constitution.”