July 18, 2008	Friday	Rajab 14, 1429

LAHORE, July 17: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Thursday that Pakistan was a sovereign country and not fighting a proxy war.

“Pakistan is not fighting the war of any other country as the war on terror is in our own interest,” he said while talking to newsmen after the graduation ceremony of the 88th National Management Course and the third Senior Management Course here at Administrative Staff College.

He said he had met the NWFP governor and other stakeholders of tribal areas, including representatives of the districts hit by militancy, and added: “They are as loyal to the country as I am.”

He said the government believed in dialogue and action was a last option to maintain law and order in the tribal areas.

The prime minister said Pakistan was a nuclear state and there was no external threat to the country.

Gilani said people of FATA wanted development in health, education and economic sectors.

“To bring them into mainstream of national development, talks will be held with them besides initiating development schemes in these areas,” he added.

About his coming visit to America, he said Pakistan had bilateral relations with the US which was cooperating with Pakistan in science, health, information technology and education sectors.

“My visit will help strengthen bilateral relations with the US,” he added.

He said Islam is a religion of peace, but a handful of elements were destroying its image by carrying out terrorist activities.

The prime minister said the PPP was sincere in restoring judges, and it was seeking constitutional ways to restore them.

About reports of Chaudhry Shujaat Husain and Pervaiz Elahi’s meeting with Asif Ali Zardari, he said: “There are always bridges in politics, but I have no information about such a meeting.”

The prime minister said he had invited Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Asfandyar Wali to discuss important issues. — APP