May 18, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 12, 1429

ISLAMABAD, May 17: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani was on Saturday briefed by army officials on the situation in South Waziristan Agency.

The briefing was significant in the light of reports of troop withdrawal from some tribal areas under an understanding with the militants.

The prime minister was informed that the situation in the area was fast returning to normality and people who had fled the area were returning home.

The Chief of the Army Staff, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, was present during the briefing. He informed Mr Gilani that the army was not withdrawing from South Waziristan Agency. “Instead, it is consolidating its position after a long operation.

“No battalion has been withdrawn from the area and no talks are under way with terrorists or criminals,” an official handout quoted the army chief as saying.

Information Minister Sherry Rahman, Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rahman Malik, Director-General of the Inter-Service Intelligence, Lt-Gen Nadeem Taj, and other senior army officers attended the briefing.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gilani appreciated efforts of the army for improving the security situation in South Waziristan Agency and enabling the displaced to return home.

The prime minister directed government agencies concerned to coordinate with each other to restore peace and observed that the government was working on an integrated strategy with the help of the army to facilitate the return of all displaced people to their homes.

Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani also visited PAF headquarters and held out an assurance that the government would continue strengthening the country’s air defences by focusing on improving PAF’s indigenous capabilities.