April 04, 2008	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 26, 1429

LARKANA, April 3: Pakistan will formulate a multi-pronged strategy for the war on terror and the coalition government’s emphasis would be to try to win the people of tribal areas by holding talks with them to resolve all issues.

However, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the government would also use military force if it felt it was necessary.

The minister was talking to newsmen in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto on Thursday after laying wreaths on the graves of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto.

He said problems of the people of Swat and tribal areas would be resolved on a priority basis and a development package would soon be announced to ensure justice and fairplay.

He said Pakistan wanted to strengthen its relations with all countries, including the United States, China, Iran, Afghanistan and India.

He said the government was determined not to let the country become a sanctuary of terrorists and it would try to do its utmost to restore peace across the country and to take any step needed to achieve this objective.

About Indo-Pakistan relations, Mr Qureshi said Indian foreign minister had called to congratulate him on taking over as foreign minister.

He said Pakistan and India would soon resume the peace process, adding that Indian foreign secretary would be visiting Pakistan soon to be followed by a visit by the Indian foreign minister.

He said Chief of the Army Staff, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, had briefed the leaders of the parties in the coalition government on the role being played by the army to defend the motherland.

He said the government believed in democracy and wanted to promote reconciliation by holding talks with all political forces.