DAVOS, Jan 28: Calling on President Barack Obama to respect Pakistan’s sovereignty, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani urged the US administration on Wednesday to stop drone attacks in Fata.
He said drone attacks were fuelling militancy in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. “If there are any drone attacks these would be counter-productive..,” he told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in an interview at the World Economic Forum (WEF).
“Therefore, we ask that if they have credible and actionable information, they share it with our intelligence agencies and we will take action ourselves.” He suggested that there was no agreement between Pakistan and the US on the issue.
“I want to put on record that we do not have any agreement between the government of the United States and the government of Pakistan (on the matter).
“We are successfully isolating the militants from the local tribes. But when there is one drone attack then you get them united. There is a lot of anti-American sentiment growing in those areas.”
Meanwhile, in a message to the WEF, Mr Gilani urged world leaders to ensure participation of developing countries in economic decision-making by introducing equitable rules and regulations.
He said the global financial crisis had served to make a strong case for a regulated world economy. Countries like Pakistan, because of their strategic location and trained manpower, could help rejuvenate the global economy.
He said Pakistan had the potential to become a regional hub of economic activity. “Doing business in Pakistan allows doing business with a region with immense economic potential,” he remarked.
“(A)t Davos, we should renew our commitment to equitable global rules and institutions, and participation of all developing countries in international economic decision-making and norm-setting.”
Prime Minister Gilani will address a special session entitled “Pakistan and its neighbours” on Thursday at which he is expected to highlight the country’s crucial role vis-à-vis regional security, cooperation and stability.
At the session he would underline the efforts Pakistan was making for regional and global peace, Mr Gilani told APP. “We want the world to realise that Pakistan is playing a vital role in making efforts against terrorism and ensuring peace in the region.”
He said he would highlight the challenges Pakistan was facing and try to convince the world leaders to help it in attaining political and economic stability by investing in various sectors.
Mumbai attacks
Talking to Reuters Mr Gilani said Pakistan would release details of an investigation into the Mumbai attacks “very soon”. “If there is anything substantive we will certainly share (it) with the world,” he said.
Mr Gilani said relations had been improving with India before the attacks and he hoped for progress again. “This incident has upset the situation. We should move forward ... we are resolved to fight terrorism and extremism.”
The premier also voiced Pakistan’s support for US President Barack Obama’s plans to send more troops to Afghanistan. “We are fighting with them. When they are sending more troops they will be supported,” he said.
Mr Gilani said the US strategy in Afghanistan had not worked for the last five and a half years. Pakistan had lost more soldiers and police than Nato forces, and drug money from Afghan poppy fields was destabilising his country.
“We want to have peace in the region,” he said. “It is (in) our interest ... (to have) a stable Afghanistan because we are looking after 3.5 million refugees.”
Although he supported Obama’s move to increase troop numbers in Afghanistan, he said more police were needed in the long term to improve security and boost economic development.
“Military action is not the solution ... for the exit policy ... law enforcement agencies should be strengthened,” he said.
“We have to go into the root cause of the problems and that is poverty ... access to the market. We don’t want only aid, we want trade and market access. That is what we are demanding from the United States.”
“We have to diversify our economy too and we are giving more importance to agriculture,” he said.
The prime minister is expected to hold meetings with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the forum. He will also host a lunch for selected business leaders, and will brief them on the trade and investment opportunities available in Pakistan.—Agencies
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