Peace, stability in South Asia cannot materialize without resolving Kashmir dispute: Gilani
LONDON, Dec 2 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said peace and stability in the region cannot materialize unless the lingering dispute of Kashmir is resolved peacefully through negotiations. He said Pakistan desires peaceful relations with India and desires that the stalled Composite Dialogue. For the elimination of terrorism, regional cooperation was vital, Gilani told a large gathering of Pakistani community members here at a local hotel, soon after his arrival in the British capital where he is slated to hold talks with its leaders.
He mentioned the successful military operations carried out in Swat and Malakand against terrorists and said the operation in South Waziristan was also proceeding with success.
The Prime Minister said the entire nation stood behind the government in its move to eradicate militants.
Prime Minister Gilani said Baitullah Mahsood, who was responsible for the assassination of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, has also been killed during the successful military operation.
He paid tribute to the residents of Malakand who left their homes for the countrys sake and hoped that FATAs affected persons would also return to their homes soon.
The Prime Minister appreciated the expatriate Pakistani community for their generous donations for PMs Fund for Swat and Malakand.
He however asked them for a collective policy rather than individual one by adopting a village in Swat, Malakand and FATA and then fulfill their basic necessities.
The Prime Minister said at the end of the counter-terrorism operation in FATA, the government would announce a reform package on the pattern of the one for Gilgit Baltistan.
He said the military operation was a success and the government was trying to bring the people there into the main stream by providing the people there all basic facilities of health, education, besides providing them vocational training.
Gilani said today Pakistan was confronting with several issues including national security, economy and social welfare and stressed the need to improve them for a smooth journey to development and prosperity.
He said the government was paying due focus on resolving these issues and would utilize all resources in this regard.
He also mentioned the seriousness of the government to work for the rights of the people of Balochistan and assured that their due rights will be given to them as it was their basic right.
Gilani said in democracy all political parties were free to propagate their manifestoes, however said that nobody would be allowed to profess hatred, ignorance and narrow-mindedness.
He said the constitution of 1973 will be restored in its original form and democracy will be further strengthened.
1973 Constitution was given by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and we will restore it.
The Prime Minister apprised the Pakistani community of the progress made by country in different areas and said the government has successfully averted the economic crisis through its prudent policies. He said the foreign exchange reserves now stand at 14.7 billion dollars.
He said the political reconciliation was the hallmark of the government and for the first time the two addresses of the president to the parliament were held without any disturbance.
Gilani said the world realized Pakistans contribution for the war against terrorism and hoped that the pledges made by Friends of Democratic Pakistan worth US $ 5.24 billion, would be fulfilled soon.
He said the government enjoyed the mandate of masses and was working on the policy of reconciliation for the sovereignty of parliament.
The Prime Minister mentioned that for the first time, Leader of the Opposition had been made Chairman Public Accounts Committee to ensure accountability on democratic terms.
Prime Minister Gilani asked the Pakistani community abroad to invest in Pakistans energy, education and Information Technology sectors and assured them that their investment would be safe in Pakistan.
He mentioned different measures taken for poverty reduction and for the encouragement of domestic and international investment including the creation of special economic zones and introducing new investment schemes.
Gilani said in purview of the governments petroleum policy, the British Petroleum company had made an investment of 30 million dollar in Pakistan.
He said under the Benazir Bhutto Income Support Program, 2.4 million households were being provided economic assistance, adding other areas including FATA, Northern Areas, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chitral, North and South Waziristan, Kohistan and Tharparker would also benefit from the scheme.
The Prime Minister said the government would resolve on priority basis the problems of Pakistani community in UK including property issues, problems of minorities, insufficient services of High Commission and immigration related issues.
He said the government was also seriously considering the longstanding demand of expatriates for casting the vote during election.
He recalled that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Begum Nusrat Bhutto had spent their exile days in London with dignity and activism, and appreciated the services of Pakistan Peoples Partys workers there who stood beside them in the journey to democracy.
Earlier Shah Mahmood Qureshi said what the people see about Pakistan on television was not the real face of the country and it was the doing of only a handful of people who do not want to see the country prosper.
He recalled his meeting with the British Foreign Minister David Miliband who too wants to seek the assistance of the Pakistani community and British Pakistanis who wish to integrate into their new home, while also serve as a bridge between the two countries.
He also asked them to help remove the misperceptions about Pakistan in Britain and vice versa. He said on Dec 11 a Pakistan-America foundation was being inaugurated in New York which will help bridge the two communities.
Ambassador of Pakistan to the United Kingdom Wajid Shamsul Hassan said the Pakistan Peoples Party has always rendered numerous sacrifices for strengthening of the democracy.
Don't be childish. Either refute the argument or don't. The position espoused by many Indians that Kashmir is legally theirs simply because the Indian constitution says so is completely akin to the example of India trying to annex California and Texas by amending its constitution to declare them Indian states. Its an absurd argument on your part.
