LAHORE: As a tense calm prevails over Karachi, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the paramilitary Rangers and other civilian law-enforcement agencies will continue their operation in the city and the Army will not be deployed.
Addressing a press conference at the State Guest House, Gilani discussed a number of issues with journalists.
“Deploying the army is not a permanent solution for Karachi and Rangers will eventually restore normality to the city,” he said.
Emphasising on the three-D policy of “dialogue, development and deterrence”, he said that use of force was the government’s last resort.
He acknowledged that extremism and terrorism were major threats to the country. “Laws are being devised for elimination of increased radicalisation in the country, which is an eminent issue facing the nation,” he said.
The PM said that the government had devised a strategy in the last Defence of the Cabinet Committee meeting to eliminate radicalisation.
When asked about the involvement of any foreign elements in Karachi and the deteriorating situation of Balochistan, he did not rule out the possibility.
Speaking about Balochistan, the PM said that separatist movements were working in the area to destabilise the country. “The incumbent government has given provincial autonomy and introduced the Aghaz-i-Haqooq-i-Balochistan package to address the grievances of the Baloch people,” he said, listing the current government’s efforts to develop the province of Balochistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2011.
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