Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday said the US and Nato forces instead of resorting to drone attacks should strengthen the mechanism of intelligence sharing and assist Pakistan in building the capacity of its defence and law enforcement agencies to help in effectively confronting the extremists and terrorists.
Talking to UK Secretary of State for Defence John Hutton, who called on him here at the PM House, the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of people's ownership of the campaign against extremism and terrorism. He termed the incursions into Pakistan territory by the US/ISAF, not only unacceptable but also counter-productive in his government's endeavour to isolate extremists from peace-loving populace of the tribal areas.
The Prime Minister said that though the US and other important allies have been promising Pakistan the required economic and capacity building assistance, not much has been delivered so far, in real terms. He stressed the need for re-invigorating the defence co-operation between Pakistan and UK and called on the UK government to facilitate issuance of Open General Export Licences to British defence manufacturing firms for the export of military equipment to Pakistan.
The Prime Minister also called for early finalisation of the sale of two surplus Royal Navy Ships and increase in the UK training facilities for Pakistan. He also offered the sale of light arms and ammunition to the British forces deployed in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister told Hutton about his government's efforts to defuse tensions in South Asia, and cooperate with India in the investigation of Mumbai attacks.
He said that the Ministry of Interior has appointed a high powered team of experts to look into the information provided by India and its findings will be shared with India and other countries, as soon as they are made available.
John Hutton while acknowledging that Pakistan itself was a major victim of terrorism, stated that he felt very encouraged by the Prime Minister's re-assurances that Pakistan would share the results of its enquiry into Mumbai attacks with India for that would greatly help defuse the present situation in the region.
He underlined that Pakistan and Britain were facing a common challenge on Pakistan-Afghanistan border and year 2009 would be a decisive year for restoration of stability and normalcy in Afghanistan. Hutton stated that in spite of the present world economic crises which had severely impacted the British, EU, US and other world economies, his country would consider meeting the economic needs of Pakistan through Friends of Democratic Pakistan Forum as well as bilaterally.
He also conceded that the continuing drone attacks were having serious negative fallout on people of Pakistan's perception on their government's counter terrorism campaign and promised that he would take up the drone attacks issue through his government with the US and other allies.-PR