Prime Minister approves over Rs 24 billion package for LEAs: talks with militants ruled out

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday while ruling out the possibility of any further dialogue with those challenging writ of the government, announced a package of more than Rs 24 billion for the capacity building and strengthening of police and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in NWFP.
He was addressing a press conference here at Governor House after chairing a high level briefing on security, law and order, military operation in Malakand Division, IDPs and their rehabilitation. Responding to a question, the Prime Minister dismissed the suggestion of talks with miscreants at this decisive stage of military operation and reiterated the demand of unconditional surrender by miscreants.
Governor NWFP Owais Ahmed Ghani, Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira were present on the occasion. He made it clear that dialogue with the rebels at this stage would be disastrous. He asked "as to whom we could enter into talks with those who challenge the writ of the government and owned the terrorist acts. Therefore, taking action against such elements becomes necessary".
He told the mediamen that Rs 25 billion package would consist of instalments of Rs 6 billion each to be delivered after six months to the government for capacity building of LEAs. The Prime Minister said "we have taken the firm decision of strengthening the law enforcing agencies to combat the militants as we have the ability and the will to crush them but the only thing we lack is capacity".
He said the government would not lag behind in giving maximum relief to the people of the affected areas by establishing system of good governance in Malakand Division. About his possible meeting with his Indian counterpart at the sidelines of NAM Summit, the Prime Minister said he has not yet decided to attend the summit, therefore the question of meeting Manmohan Singh does not arise at this stage.
The Prime Minister assured that the current budgetary allocation of Rs 50 billion for the relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation of IDPs has been made from national resources and additional funding will also be made available for the militancy-hit areas as and when the international donors fulfil their pledges.
The Prime Minister lauded the determination and dedication of the NWFP journalists during the current fight against extremism and announced a grant of Rs 2 million to establish a trust for the journalists affected by militancy and terrorism. The PM also announced a grant of Rs 15 lacs for Peshawar Press Club.
He said the government wants the early homecoming of the IDPs. The government wants to put the operation to an end at the earliest, he said adding the military operation is solution to no problem and the Operation in Swat and Malakand has been launched under extreme conditions, when the government writ was challenged in these areas.
The Prime Minister lauded the NWFP and Frontier Constabulary on performing their duties with unprecedented courage. He said the NWFP chief minister has been directed for ensuring the security of the journalists.
He said that he had come to Peshawar to take briefings on security situation, IDPs related measures and military operations and added that he had useful interaction with the NWFP Governor and Chief Minister. The people of Pukhtoonkhwa, he said had offered unprecedented sacrifices as frontline province in war on terror which would not go waste. To a question, he said the federal government had received some funds pledged by the donor countries while the remaining was in the pipeline.