KARACHI, Nov 24: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations.

Inaugurating the Ideas-2008 here on Monday, he said: “It is our belief that a world free of terrorists is in the interest of Pakistan and the international community. We also believe that real victory against terrorists cannot be achieved unless root causes of terrorism, oppression, denial of fundamental rights, economic deprivation and injustices are addressed and festering wounds of Kashmir healed.”

Mr Gilani said that Pakistan had a long history of defence cooperation with nations across the globe.

“Our multifaceted and technically progressive defence industry provides us a strong designing and production base for developing and fielding major defence products, including Agosta-90B submarines, Al-Khalid battle tanks, armoured vehicles, anti-tank guided missiles, surface-to-air missiles, Mashaak and Super Mashaak and JF-17 thunder aircraft, in collaboration with our friendly countries, including China,” he said.

“The Ideas-2008 provides an excellent interactive forum to the defence hierarchy of friendly countries, defence industry of the developed world and that of Pakistan. Pakistan has a large defence manufacturing, training and supporting infrastructure which not only meets the demand for our armed forces, but also has the capacity to offer high-quality products and services to our friendly countries at mutually acceptable terms.”

Earlier, talking to reporters at Karachi airport, Prime Minister Gilani said that there was nothing in the record to substantiate claims that Washington had the permission to carry out missile attacks inside Pakistani territory.

“The government has not found any proof in its record that allowed the United States to carry out air strikes in tribal areas.”

He said that formation of lashkars in tribal areas was a manifestation of people’s support and confidence in the government’s efforts to root out terrorism and extremism. “Terrorism in all its facets must be eliminated because it is hurting the very foundations of the state and democratic dispensation.”

Mr Gilani, who was received at the airport by Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, said that talks with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement were in progress for its inclusion in the federal cabinet.

The prime minister was expected to meet some top leaders of the MQM before flying to Islamabad.

He said that balance of payments crisis had forced Pakistan to seek a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund, adding that some prosperous countries were also seeking loans from the IMF.

Mr Gilani said the government’s top priorities were to improve law and order and political and economic conditions.

“We are devising strategies keeping in view the aspirations of the people. It is for first time that the military operation in tribal areas has the backing of people,” Mr Gilani said.

Asked if his government had allowed former president Pervez Musharraf to enter into politics or go abroad, the prime minister said the present government did not believe in victimisation and wanted reconciliation. “We have allowed the former president to go abroad.”