ISLAMABAD, 8 April 2008 — Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani yesterday reiterated his government’s resolve to adopt a multipronged strategy to address the issue of terrorism and extremism.
Talking to visiting British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, he said the new democratic government would incorporate both short and long-term measures to confront terrorism.
The prime minister said that terrorism is a global phenomenon and the world community should focus on its causes which stem from economic disparity and unresolved political issues.
Gilani said Pakistan would welcome Britain’s assistance for the development of its tribal areas. He said his government would focus on improving people’s socioeconomic condition, reduce poverty and generate job opportunities in areas bordering Afghanistan.
The government, he added, was working on various initiatives including infrastructure development and provision of education and better health care facilities in the area.
He also underlined the need to regulate madrasas through modern education, which would enable youths to get jobs and contribute toward economic uplift of the area.
Gilani said Pakistan wanted access to both British and EU markets to boost the economic and trade relations.
Smith said her country was “urgently” looking at ways to enhance anti-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan’s new government. “I know that the incoming government of Pakistan wants to do more, so do I,” Smith said in a speech at the opening of an exhibition of calligraphy by youths from Pakistani schools and madrasas, or Islamic colleges.
“We have already provided much, but we will urgently consider what more can be done to enhance our joint work,” Smith told the audience at the recently built national art gallery in Islamabad.
The minister thanked Pakistani authorities for helping to investigate the July 7, 2005 London bombings and an alleged plot to blow up transatlantic airliners in 2006.
But she said that Pakistan and Britain “both face a threat from Al-Qaeda and other violent extremists” and urged people in both countries to “speak out against the terrorist world view.”
Britain is already providing development aid for Pakistan, especially its troubled tribal areas, she said.
The tribal belt is a known hide-out for Al-Qaeda and Taleban militants.
Pakistan’s new foreign minister said yesterday the government will not negotiate with “terrorists” even as it seeks talks with some militant groups.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi has also called for softening the detention of Abdul Qadeer Khan, the scientist disgraced for passing nuclear technology to countries including Iran.
Qureshi told Dawn News television that Pakistan would not negotiate with those it considered terrorists.
— With input from agencies
