Updated on
Summary
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani will take decision on North Waziristan operation. He vowed not to bow down to extremism and terrorism and to launch a military operation at any place that served as a safe haven of such elements. Addressing a gathering at the distribution of cheques for the affectees of Swat and Malakand, the Prime Minister said writ of the government would be established at all costs. If the government fails to protect the lives of the people and their property than it has failed it in its obligations and we will not let it happen, Gilani said. He said wherever the writ of the government was challenged military operations would be conducted. He also announced a compensation package for affectees of Swat and Malakand that included a university in Swat and approval for Malakand Tunnel, for which funds would be utilised from the Kerry Lugar Bill and Friends of Democratic Pakistan. He said natural gas would be provided to the area as soon as its supply is improved. He said certain elements did not want to see the people here live peacefully and started terrorism on the name of Shariat. We immediately accepted their demand, but they changed tactics and resorted to violence and extremist acts. He said the terrorists wanted to hold the government hostage and gave the government a notice of five days. But this, he said, could not be tolerated. The government refused to bow down to their tactics and got the nation and all the political leadership on to a united platform to fight their nefarious designs.
