PM links economic stability to law, order

ISLAMABAD - Observing that the issues of economy and law and order were interconnected, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday reiterated the governments resolve that it would not compromise on them. This he said while responding to the Pakistan Peoples Party- Sherpao (PPP-S) Chief Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpaos speech on the countrys law and order situation in the Lower House of the Parliament. He said that terrorism and extremism were complex issues adding that it was the top priority of the government to eradicate these menaces from the society. He maintained that the country could not make any economic progress until it improved its law and order situation. He said that his government followed a three-D policy - dialogue, development and deterrence - and it was ready to hold negotiations with the militants, who wanted to surrender. We want to bring them in the mainstream, but we will not hold talks with those who are working on foreign agenda to destabilise the country, the Prime Minister added. He said that his government preferred dialogues in Swat and Malakand, however the opponent party violated agreements and the government was left with no option other than to launch military operation against them. The Prime Minister stated that Pakistan and Afghanistan realised that they were paying the price for terrorism. We want to see stable Afghanistan so that the Afghan refugees in Pakistan may be repatriated to their country, as it will be in the best interest of Pakistan, Gilani said. He said that Pakistan suffered more casualties and rendered more sacrifices as compared to NATO in the war against terrorism adding that the world community must realise this fact.

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