PESHAWAR:
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has reiterated the government’s stance of reviewing cooperation with the United States as the federal cabinet approved a loan of 270 million riyal by Saudi Arabia for the development of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and Malakand Division.
The prime minister was speaking to reporter after the first-ever meeting of the federal cabinet in the provincial capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Responding to a question regarding the US-Pakistan relations and the closure of Nato supply routes in the aftermath of the Salala tragedy, Gilani said the government was reviewing its policy of cooperation extended to the US adding that the new policy would be according to the sentiments of the Pakistani people.
“We inherited the current policy (from the Musharraf regime) — a new policy will guarantee the sovereignty of our country and stop the US from carrying out any unilateral action on our soil,” pledged the premier.
When inquired if the US and Pakistan were engaged in any dialogue after the Mohmand agency attack, the prime minister said that “for the time being, both countries are upset but dialogue will resume soon”.
Loan from Saudi Arabia
In a post-meeting briefing, Federal Minister of Information Firdous Ashiq Awan told the media that the cabinet has approved a loan worth 270 million riyal offered by Saudi Arabia for development in the tribal belt and Malakand division. She revealed that K-P’s governor briefed the cabinet about the recent developments in the tribal regions and demanded that the federal government release immediate funds.
“The money will be spent on rebuilding infrastructure in the region and providing better living standard to the people affected by the military operations,” said Awan.
“The loan is not an alternate for the money to be provided under the Kerry-Lugar Bill,” said the minister, adding that the US administration had not informed Pakistan about the suspension of any aid.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 15th, 2011.
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If the American public had a chance to dictate America's policy towards Pakistan - I wonder what they would have done after OBL was found hiding in Abbottabad?
what the galani want to save in our gov but its not fact they want to distrove in our country so they r not devote with in our peopel without the peopele saport never possible ok
dear sir/ i am not happy the governament policy toward the usa if the governament will stand in our statment they will seek some diffrent in country if they want to get the suport in our peopel they must be sport them other wise it will never possible best wish