Other options open if writ challenged: PM

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the government reserves the right to use other options if Swat peace deal fails to bring about results and stop Talibinisation. Talking to newspersons after a visit to the Cabinet Division here Thursday, the Prime Minister said the agreement was aimed at bringing peace to the restive Swat valley with the hope that Nizam-e-Adl would provide speedy justice. He, however, said that in case Sufi Mohammad failed to implement the accord, the government would have to review its policy. We will neither allow a parallel government in Swat, nor establishment of a parallel judicial system there can be allowed, the Premier said. He stressed that the writ of the government would be ensured at all costs, adding the Constitution of the country was supreme and there was no room for parallel set-ups. Gilani said the Army was working under the civilian government and if the provincial or the federal government so desired, it might seek its assistance. He said the government respected the mandate given by the people to the provincial government and its policy to hold political dialogue with all. He said the report prepared by the committee set up by the Parliament on national security had presented its deliberations and the cabinet and the four chief ministers would deliberate and prepare recommendations for the President. It will be a national policy recommended by the Parliament and will form a strategy that is desired by the people of Pakistan and is in the interest of the nation, the Premier said. When asked about the in-camera briefing to the Senate by Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik, Prime Minister Gilani said he would inform the Upper House after consulting all stakeholders. When asked whether or not the government would protest over the fake charges of terrorism levelled against 12 Pakistani students by the British government, Gilani said it was due to the efforts of Pakistani government that they had been released. He also refuted a report that he and the officials of Foreign Office were not well prepared for the meeting with Chairman US Foreign Relations Committee John Kerry. Gilani said his government desired to ensure good governance at all levels and his visit to the Cabinet Division was in that connection.

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