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Gilani for permanent solution to check militants from Afghanistan
Submitted by Business Desk on July 4, 2009 - 17:55
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has urged the US government for its support in working out a permanent solution with Afghanistan to check uncontrolled, illegal crossings, particularly of militants, terrorists and drug trafficking across the border with Pakistan. Referring to the US Secretary for Homeland Security’s initiative as Governor of Arizona about erecting a wall between the US and Mexico border, he said that a similar pattern of fencing between Pakistan and Afghanistan could be followed to stop infiltration and drug trafficking.
He was talking to the US Secretary for Homeland Security, Ms. Janet Napilitano who called on him at the Prime Minister House on Friday.
The Prime Minister underlined the fact that the international support to Pakistan for the displaced persons of Malakand Division so far has been inadequate.
He said that Pakistan has made innumerable sacrifices in terms of life and material losses in the ongoing military operation.
He urged the US and the international donors to deliver on their pledges made in Friends of Democratic Pakistan’s meeting in Tokyo.
He also called for immediate provision of military hardware including Cobra helicopters, technology transfer as well as financial assistance to build the capacity of Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies.
He said this will prepare the security personnel to effectively control the affected areas after the military operation comes to a successful conclusion in Malakand division and Waziristan agencies.
The Prime Minister asked the US Secretary for Homeland Security to facilitate PIA’s direct flights operations to the US destinations.
Ms. Janet Napilitano said that the issue of PIA’s direct flights to the US would be resolved after due consideration in the near future.
She also promised that the US would expedite disbursement of the pledged amount for IDPs and the financial assistance committed in Tokyo to help Pakistan’s immediate needs.
Federal Minister for Defense Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik, Senator Sughra Imam and US Ambassador to Pakistan Ms. Anne W. Patterson were present during the meeting.
