KUALA LUMPUR, July 9: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday stressed the need for coordinated efforts by Pakistan, India and Afghanistan to deal with the problem of terrorism in an effective manner.

There is no point in indulging in blame game when we are all suffering because of mindless terrorist attacks resulting in losses of life and property and creating a situation of chaos.

There was need to chart out a strategy to supplement each other’s efforts to achieve peace and prosperity in the region, the prime minister told foreign journalists in reply to a question about the recent suicide attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul.

He said Pakistan wanted close friendly relations with its neighbours, including India and Afghanistan.

Peace and stability in Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan which shares a long porous border with that country. He urged the international community to step up its support for efforts to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Mr Gilani apprised the media of his government’s three-pronged strategy to fight terrorism and extremism that includes dialogue with non-militants and those who lay down their arms, focus on development and uplift of tribal areas. He said force would be used as a last resort if the tribes and non-militants violated their agreements with the government.

Answering a question, the prime minister said no military operation was going on in the areas bordering Afghanistan and only the Frontier Constabulary and police were being used to maintain law and order.

On a question regarding lawyers’ movement, he said that the government was committed to resolving the issue amicably at the earliest by restoring the deposed judges.

“We are tackling the situation. The government facilitated a peaceful long march,” he said, adding that the conference at the Lal Masjid in Islamabad was also ‘managed’.

He rejected a perception that the government had not achieved much during its first 100 days.

He denied that the ruling alliance was facing any problem and said that the PML-N and the PPP were running coalition governments at the centre and in Punjab.

He said the coalition was intact despite the fact that both parties had separate manifestos and policies.