Sherpao vows to compensate civilians: Wana operation
By A Correspondent
MULTAN, Sept 21: Federal Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said the government will pay compensation to the families of the civilians who may fall victim to the ongoing operation in Wana.
Talking to the newsmen here on Tuesday, the minister said any civilian who might suffer injuries in the operation would also be compensated. He claimed that except the situation in Wana and one or two incidents in other parts of the country, the overall law and order situation was quite satisfactory.
He said the operation was being carried out only in those areas of Wana where there were reports of the presence of 'foreign elements.' The foreigners would have to surrender and register themselves with the Pakistani authorities, he averred.
He said after registration the peaceful conduct of a foreigner would be the responsibility of the tribe with which he was taking asylum. The minister said the government had also chalked out an economic package for the tribal areas as an incentive to cooperate with the authorities in the campaign launched to wipe out terrorists from the country.
He said the government had also initiated political process to deal with situation in Wana and for this the issue would be discussed at the National assembly and the Senate. "We are doing this on the opposition's demand," he added.
The minister categorically said there was no information about the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden. He said the ministries of internal affairs, education and religious affairs would jointly work to revamp the curricula of the seminaries to synchronize those with the present-day need.
He said establishment of cantonments in Balochistan would generate economic activity in the area and create opportunities for jobs for the locals. He said the Senate's committee on Balochistan would soon start dialogue on the burning issues of the largest province with its nationalist leaders to sort out differences.
The minister was in the town to condole with MNA Asad Murtaza Gillani (of the PPP-Patriots) the death of his mother. Federal defence minister Rao Sikander was also with him for condolence.
Talking to newsmen on the occasion, the defence minister claimed that there were indications from the corners concerned in the US that Pakistan might get its F-16 fighter planes. The situation on the issue would become clear very soon, he added.
He hoped that the peace dialogue between Pakistan and India during the scheduled meeting of President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Indian premier Manmohan Singh in the US would bring positive results.
"Our approach towards dialogues is very positive and now it is up to the Indian leaders how they reciprocate it," the minister asserted. He categorically ruled out the possibility that Gen Musharraf would take off his uniform by Dec 31 this year, saying his uniform was a must for the national security.
