ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have reiterated that all the actions against the banned militant outfits would be taken under the country’s laws and no Pakistani citizens would be handed over to India or any other country and they would be tried in the country’s courts of law.
The decision was taken at a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday in which they exchanged views on the current security situation in the country, following the ban on militant outfits and the Pak-India relations in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks.
Information Minister Sherry Rehman was also present in the meeting. They also discussed strict security measures in the country following the ban and crackdown on militant outfits in Pakistan in the wake of the UN Security Council decision.
Sources said the prime minister briefed the president on the meeting of the defence committee of the cabinet and the measures taken for security in the country. It was decided to take strict security measures for maintaining law and order in the country to ward off any hostile reaction in the wake of the recent ban and crackdown on militant outfits.
During the meeting, President Zardari said actions against these militant outfits are not taken under pressure from any side but for the sake of the country’s security, as Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism.
The president and the prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s position that it would not allow the use of its territory for launching terror attacks against any country. It was decided that the government would take strict action against any one found involved in terror attacks anywhere in the world from its territory.
The sources said it was decided that in the coming session of the National Assembly, scheduled to start from Monday, the prime minister will take parliament into confidence on the government measures against the militant outfits and will give a policy statement on the security situation in the country following the attacks in Mumbai.
The two leaders noted that despite requests, India had so far shared no evidence or information with Pakistan. The sources said they also reiterated their offer to India for setting up of a joint commission as well as joint investigations in an earnest effort to move forward in an area, which concerns both Pakistan and India equally.
APP adds: Pakistan on Friday again demanded of India to provide the evidence so as to conduct its own investigation into the Mumbai terrorist attacks.
“Our own investigations cannot proceed beyond a certain point without provision of credible information and evidence pertaining to the Mumbai attacks,” Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a statement.
Referring to the Security Council Resolution 1267, under which certain individuals and entities have been designated by the United Nations Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee on December 10, Qureshi said Pakistan was complying with the listing of Jamaat-ud-Daawa and certain other trusts as well as individuals by the Sanctions Committee.
He said it was obligatory for all states to comply with the decisions of the Security Council decisions and the government has initiated the process in this respect. The minister said the government of Pakistan has already initiated investigations on its own. “It is the firm conviction of Pakistan not to allow its territory to be used for any act of terrorism. Pakistan itself has been a victim of terrorism.”
However, the minister pointed that despite requests, no evidence or information had been shared with the government by India so far. He said any criminal investigation proceeds from the scene of crime to the criminal. This is standard investigation procedure. Pakistan has repeatedly underscored the need for serious, sustained and pragmatic cooperation between Pakistan and India to combat terrorism in either country.
“Our proposals for the establishment of a joint commission as well as joint investigations have been made in an earnest effort to move forward in an area, which equally concerns both Pakistan and India.”
Qureshi said as far as Pakistan’s own investigations were concerned, these will be pursued in accordance with its own laws. Pakistan is committed to internationally respected concept of “due process”, he added. “It is Pakistan’s firm determination to do whatever it can to eliminate the threat of terrorism from South Asia,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar on Friday said the government took action against Jamaat-ud-Daawain accordance with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution to prevent the country from being declared a terrorist state.
Talking to media persons at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport, where he received the Hujjaj, who arrived on the first post-Hajj flight. He said: ìWe are part of the international community and cannot afford confrontation with the whole world.î
He appreciated President Asif Ali Zardari for his acumen in handling the issue in an effective manner. He said, ìPeace is always the best solution to all the problems. Such a situation does not arise every day and it is the responsibility of the government to handle it properly.î
The minister said wars are not the solution to problems, adding, the nation is still paying the price of the 1965 and 1971 wars as well as the Afghan war. About defence preparations in the wake of external threats, the minister said the armed forces are fully capable to defend the homeland, adding, ìWe are not afraid of anyone but are willing to live with peace.î
Responding to a question, he said the US officials, who recently visited Pakistan, have expressed satisfaction over the governmentís efforts for maintaining peace in the region.ìWar on terror is our own war and is in the interest of the country,î Ahmad Mukhtar reiterated. He said any person or organisation found trying to de-stabilise the country would be tackled with iron hands.
Commenting on the performance of PIA during the Hajj flight operation, he said: ìThe national flag carrier operated very successfully, and it was for the first time that its entire fleet was utilised in Hajj flight operation.î He felicitated the entire staff of the national airline and expressed the confidence that it would soon become a profitable organisation.
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