Official reaction: Gilani ‘concerned’ over US aid cuts
Gilani expressed ‘extreme concern over the recent statements of American officials on suspension of military aid.’
QUETTA:
In a first official reaction to US aid cuts, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani expressed ‘extreme concern over the recent statements of American officials on suspension of military aid.’
Addressing a news conference at the chief minister secretariat here on Wednesday, Gilani said that Pakistan is “in the middle of the war against terrorism.”
“We are fighting for the whole world and they benefit from [our contribution],” he said. “Though we are not officially informed, it is a matter of concern for us.”
On the endgame in Afghanistan, the premier said that Pakistan supports reconciliation in Afghanistan but wants to be included in the process.
“Pakistan must be included in evolving any Afghan-based strategy so that Pakistan is not destabilised from such policy, he said.
“We do not want that decisions which were taken thirty years ago be repeated again. Because of those decisions 3.5 million people are still living at refugee camps,” he added.
“The chief executive of Afghanistan and Pakistan, foreign ministers, army chief and heads of intelligence agencies must be present so the issues could be settled officially,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2011.
In a first official reaction to US aid cuts, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani expressed ‘extreme concern over the recent statements of American officials on suspension of military aid.’
Addressing a news conference at the chief minister secretariat here on Wednesday, Gilani said that Pakistan is “in the middle of the war against terrorism.”
“We are fighting for the whole world and they benefit from [our contribution],” he said. “Though we are not officially informed, it is a matter of concern for us.”
On the endgame in Afghanistan, the premier said that Pakistan supports reconciliation in Afghanistan but wants to be included in the process.
“Pakistan must be included in evolving any Afghan-based strategy so that Pakistan is not destabilised from such policy, he said.
“We do not want that decisions which were taken thirty years ago be repeated again. Because of those decisions 3.5 million people are still living at refugee camps,” he added.
“The chief executive of Afghanistan and Pakistan, foreign ministers, army chief and heads of intelligence agencies must be present so the issues could be settled officially,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2011.