August 24, 2008	Sunday	Sha'aban 21, 1429

TAXILA, Aug 23: The government wants to solve all problems in tribal areas through dialogue but no one will be allowed to challenge the government’s writ, says Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Talking to newsmen at the POF Hospital in Wah Cantonment on Saturday after meeting some people who were injured in Thursday’s twin blasts, the premier said: “Instead of military action, our first option is political dialogue in tribal areas.”

Condemning the suicide attacks, he said they had resulted in the death of loyal Pakistanis and breadwinners of poor families. “Terrorists are tarnishing the name of Islam and the country by harming such innocent people … We condemn the elements involved in targeting poor people of the country,” he said.

He, however, said it was too early to say anything about the involvement of foreign elements in the blasts and stressed the need for curbing terrorism in consultation with political parties and the people.

“We have to jointly work towards finding a solution to the issue which is a threat to peace in the country and also bringing it bad name at the international level.”

He said the government was focussing on the socio-economic uplift of Fata areas and wanted to eradicate poverty which was the main cause of terrorism and extremism in the region.

The prime minister said the government was ready to hold talks with tribesmen who laid down their arms. “However, we will not favour those who attack innocent people.”

Earlier he visited different wards of the hospital and directed the doctors and paramedic staff to take due care of the patients.

The prime minister was accompanied by chairman of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories Lt-Gen S.S. Hussain, Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik, Adviser to PM on National Security Mehmud Ali Durrani, Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan of the PML-N.