Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said it was "unfair" of US President Barrack Obama to compare Pakistan with Afghanistan during unveiling a new policy for both the countries. Talking to media after opening the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) conference here at a local hotel.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan is a nuclear state with strong institutions and free judiciary and media. So it was unfair on the part of US to compare it with the Afghanistan, he added. Answering questions, Gilani said Pakistan paid heavy price for fighting global war on terrorism in term of men and material and the US should not have linked financial assistance for Pakistan with its performance in war on terror.
"The death toll of Pakistani soldiers in war against terror was more than the combined Nato forces in Afghanistan," Gilani said. The Prime Minister said it was good that the US in its new policy has acknowledged Pakistans stance of dialogue, development and deterrence and admitted that war on terror could not be won without winning hearts and minds of people.
Recalling his meeting with the Barack Obama in Washington last year in the midst of his presidential campaign, the Prime Minister said Obama had extended full support to Pakistans democracy and sovereignty. The Prime Minister said Pakistan wanted the US administration to expedite Kerry-Lugar Bill and setting up of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in tribal areas.
The Prime Minister dispelled the recent comments of US officials about ISI and army, saying both the institutions are truly professional and functioning under constitution. "Our army and ISI are truly professional, sincere and pro-democracy," he said adding that the two institutions were working in the ambit of Constitution and under the command of Prime Ministers office.
He said that ISI had worked with the United States in the past and if they are alleging the premier agency now this is something new. About the mastermind behind the attack on police academy by unknown assailants.
The Prime Minister said he would not jump on to conclusion and would wait for preliminary report before saying anything. The Prime Minister said he was against the governor rule in Punjab and wanted the PML (N) to continue. Pakistan Peoples Party would sit in the opposition in Punjab, he added.