ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday offered talks to all those militants who were ready to surrender to tribal agents. Responding to the points raised by Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao during debate on the law and order in the National Assembly, Gilani said, “We are ready to hold talks with them. We are ready to bring them into mainstream.”
He reiterated the government’s resolve to continue pursuing the policy of 3Ds, dialogue, development, deterrence, assuring talks with those who were ready to give up arms to the tribal agents of their respective areas. However, the prime minister ruled out any dialogue with those working on a foreign agenda.
He said he preferred dialogue in Swat and Malakand. However, he lamented that the other party had violated the agreements, leaving no option for the government but to launch a military operation. “Militants have to give up insurgency against the people of the country,” he demanded. Gilani said Pakistan had to suffer more casualties and render more sacrifices than NATO in the war against terrorism, adding that the international community must realise this fact.
He said both Pakistan and Afghanistan had realised that terrorism was a threat to them and they also agreed to evolve a joint strategy on the issue. He said a stable Afghanistan was in the greater interest of Pakistan which, he added, would also pave the way for repatriation of Afghan refugees.
Coming to the law and order situation in the country, the prime minister said the situation could not get better unless terrorism was rooted out, adding that the country’s economy was also linked with the law and order. He assured the House that Pakistan would not compromise on the issue.
