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Gilani says he will raise issue of drone strikes with US: PM asks world to press US to halt violations

* Gilani says international community willing to help Pakistan
* Cabinet expansion likely on Monday
* President meets PM, Pakistan to focus on friends to minimise IMF dependence

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: American and NATO missile strikes inside Pakistan are counterproductive in the war on terror and the world should urge the United States to stop the incursions, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday.

“We are a nuclear power but we will not demonstrate any irresponsible attitude,” he told a press conference after returning from his visit to Turkey. “But we will take measures for protection of integrity of Pakistan.”

Gilani said he would raise the issue in a meeting with the US ambassador, adding that Afghan President Hamid Karzai would also take the matter up with NATO.

The prime minister said he had told world leaders during the World Economic Forum that he attended that Pakistan was committed to fighting terrorism.

“The whole world is thinking of helping Pakistan in the present economic crisis. They have great feelings for Pakistan. A stable Pakistan is in the interest of the whole world,” he said.

To a question, Gilani said the new US president would have to improve ties with Pakistan.

The prime minister said the government was trying to isolate Taliban from reconcilable elements in the Tribal Areas, and that he had told world leaders in Turkey and China that his government was pursuing the policy of three Ps in FATA – peace, progress and prosperity.

Gilani said Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Kayani would soon visit Turkey “to enhance co-operation between the two countries in the defence sector”. Pakistan and Turkey had agreed to boost mutual trade from $700 million to $1 billion, he added. To a question, the prime minister said ‘good news’ about the anticipated expansion in the federal cabinet would be announced ‘the day after tomorrow’ (Monday).

He said a decision on whether Pakistan should borrow from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would be made ‘in national interest’, adding that the government would not consider new taxes on the agriculture sector. “We will take only those steps in the prevailing financial crisis which are in national interest.”

Regarding his statement about a secular education system in Pakistan similar to that in Turkey, he said he did not intend to criticise the curriculum but wanted to bring uniformity in the system.

Gilani, Zardari meeting: Also on Saturday, Gilani met President Asif Zardari to discuss economic and political developments and relief activities in the quake-struck Balochistan.

Sources privy to the meeting said the two leaders decided to persuade friendly countries for economic assistance to minimise Pakistan dependence on IMF. Zardari will ask Saudi Arabia in his November 3-5 visit for oil facility on deferred payment, credit facility on fertilisers and cash assistance.

They also discussed a reshuffle and expansion in the federal cabinet.

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