LAHORE, Feb 22: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said on Sunday that the United States was satisfied with the way the government was handling the nuclear proliferation issue.

Talking to newsmen, he said statements issued by the US State Department spokesman supported his assertion. He said the country's nuclear programme was in safe hands.

He said the operation in the tribal areas was carried out on specific information. This, he said, was part of the international campaign against terrorism.

He reiterated that the country would not allow anyone to use its territory for terrorism. In response to a question, the prime minister said the unification of various Pakistan Muslim League factions would augur well for the country.

Mr Jamali praised the performance of Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and said he was a trendsetter for other provinces. He met party leaders at the residence of PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

The chief minister, S.M. Zafar, Hamid Nasir Chatta and Senator Tariq Azeem attended the meeting. The premier said the PML believed in politics of consensus, understanding and consultation within the party and with its allies.