September 12, 2008	Friday	Ramazan 11, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Sept 11: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik has urged the international community to respect the sentiments of the people of Pakistan and not to violate its territorial integrity.

In an interview with BBC TV, he said: “The upper and lower houses of parliament have unanimously passed resolutions against the attack by coalition forces inside Pakistan and the international community should respect the voice of the people.”

Pakistan, he said, was a democratic country and public sentiments were held in regard by the elected government.

He said the United States acted in accordance with wishes of its people but the sentiments of the people of Pakistan should also be honoured.

Mr Malik said the people of the country were outraged by coalition forces’ attacks.

He said Pakistan was fighting terrorism in its own interest.

He said the international community had time and again asked Pakistan to do more and now “we are asking them to do more and help us in defeating terrorism”.

Replying to a question, the adviser said the government was following a three-pronged strategy to counter terrorism. It is holding negotiations with law-abiding tribesmen and has announced a number of development projects and created employment opportunities to help them improve their standard of living. Force is being used as the last option.

He said the government had to win the hearts of the people in order to win the war against terrorism.—APP