Appreciating the introduction of "Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZ) Bill" in the US Congress, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has admitted before the US Senators and foreign diplomats that Pakistan is not only facing the challenges of extremism, but is also confronting rising food prices, skyrocketing oil prices, energy shortage, load-shedding and growing trade deficit and depleting country''s reserves.
Addressing the local Pakistani business community and US Senators and senior officials at a dinner, hosted by Pakistan Ambassador Husian Haqqani at Pakistan Embassy, he briefed the top diplomats about the problems being faced by Pakistan along with extremism and fanaticism. However, he categorically clarified that the use of military force would be a measure of last resort.
He appreciated the US Senators for introducing the "Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZ) Bill" in the congress. "The approval of the proposed Bill, which will provide preferential access to the US market for goods manufactured in designated areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan will help us in efforts to integrate otherwise isolated areas into the socio-economic mainstream of our country.
"A prosperous Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) will cease to be a breeding ground for extremism," he said. "The war on terror is not just an American fight. We in Pakistan are fighting for our very soul. This is not Charlie Wilson''s war - it is Benazir Bhutto''s war. This is not just an American war and Pakistan is fighting it for its own cause as a stable Pakistan is in the interest of the US.
"We have lost our great leader, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, to a terrorist attack. No nation suffered more from extremism and fanaticism. There should be absolutely no doubt about our commitment to fight terrorism", he said. Gilani also said: "We are encouraged by the US desire to work with and strengthen the democratic government in Pakistan and see the introduction of the Biden-Lugar Bill in the Senate as a clear sign of this intent." Of Pakistan-US relations, the Prime Minister said the current partnership was a continuation of a long standing relationship spread over 60 years.
"We fought side by side to support the liberation of Afghanistan from the Soviet Union. Now we fight side by side to defeat the forces of extremism and terrorism that threaten the civilised war," he said. The Prime Minister said a stable and prosperous Pakistan was not only in the interest of the region, but was also for United States.
He said the Pakistan-US relationship needed to be expanded to people-to-people partnership in which the people of Pakistan shared the ideals of democracy, liberty and justice as cherished by the American people. "The government believes that common values are as important as shared interests," he said.
The Prime Minister lauded the efforts of Senator Cantwell, Senator Hatch, Senator Hagel and Senator Bond for introducing the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) Bill in the Congress, which, he said, would provide preferential access to the US market for goods manufactured in designated areas of Pakistan.
He said the government appreciated the constructive role played by the United States in encouraging peace process in South Asia, and hoped that the role would not only remain confined to conflict management, but would extend to facilitating conflict resolution.
About Pakistan-India relations, the Prime Minister said it showed that democracy in Pakistan had invariably led to a better and more peaceful relationship between the two countries. "The future of peace in South Asia depends on a democratic and prosperous Pakistan and India working in common purpose to solve common problems," he added.
Gilani said Pakistan was following a multi-pronged strategy to deal with extremism that entailed a combined effort of its political, administrative and military forces. He said the government would not only fight terrorism on the ground, but would work to eliminate the root causes of terrorism.
He said the government would not negotiate with terrorists and would not let its territory be used as a sanctuary for attacks on its neighbours. Due to repeated military interventions, democratic institutions could not take firm roots in the country, he said, adding Benazir Bhutto''s legacy for the strengthening of democracy and political reconciliation was a guiding principle.
The function was attended by top US officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher, CIA chief Michael Hayden, US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson, former Centcom commander General Anthony Zinni, Congresswoman Nita Lowey and Senator Maria Cantwell.