ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Sunday said the United States has vacated the Shamsi air base within the time limit given to it.

In an interview with the BBC Urdu service, he said that the Shamsi airbase is now under the control of Pakistani forces.

To a question about Saraiki province, the Prime Minister said Saraiki province is desire of the people and it is an important matter which can not be left for the next parliament.

"The government will approach the present assembly for creation of the Saraiki province," he added.

To another question about his statement under which he said that he will resign but will not write a letter to the Swiss government on the issue of NRO, the Prime Minister said he never said this and his statement was presented in a wrong way.

To a question that the killers of Benazir Bhutto were not punished, he said, “I only want to tell you this, if you see that in high profile cases, it takes time. And you have seen other cases of murder in the country, about which nothing has come up yet. This matter is sub judice, in the judiciary and we should wait for results.”

To a question on the memo issue, the Prime Minister said the people of Pakistan believe in realities instead of rumours and a person who was conspiring in the past should not be believed.

He said President Asif Ali Zardari will return to Pakistan on the advice of doctors.

The Prime Minister said attack of Nato forces was insult to the sacrifices of Pakistan, which sacrificed 35000 of its people in the war on terror.

Gilani said Pakistan is contuining with the policy of 3D - dialogue, development and deterrence, to tackle issue of militancy.