November 02, 2008	Sunday	Ziqa'ad 3, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Nov 1: The winner of the US presidential election would be “under compulsion” to maintain good relations with Pakistan, the prime minister said on Saturday, in an attempt to ease apprehensions amidst a torrent of acerbic remarks made during the campaign.

Addressing a news conference at the Prime Minister’s House upon return from Turkey, Mr Gilani said that the whole world was sympathetic to Pakistan for its being a victim of terrorism, and it was willing to extend every kind of help.

In reply to a question about repeated US drone attacks inside Pakistan despite passage of resolutions by both houses of parliament, the prime minister said the world supported Pakistan’s stand that air strikes by American and Nato forces were counterproductive.

He said the international community was aware of the challenges Pakistan had been facing because of being a key US ally in the war on terror.

“The whole world is thinking of helping Pakistan in the present economic crisis as they have great feelings for Pakistan,” the prime minister said.

Islamabad, he added, had asked world leaders to dissuade Nato and US forces from such incursions.

Mr Gilani said he would soon raise the matter with the US ambassador. Besides, he said, Afghan President Hamid Karzai had also assured him that he would take up the matter with Nato.

In reply to question about alleged misappropriation by the previous government of the $10 billion in aid given by America since Pakistan’s joining the war on terror, Mr Gilani said: “We are responsible for our government’s deeds and let the past be buried.”

In reply to a question about fears that Islamabad had accepted hard IMF conditionalities to get billions of dollars in loans, the prime minister said that international financial institutions should not place unacceptable conditions while giving loans.

He, however, said that the PPP government would do whatever was in the “best interest” of the nation.

The prime minister said that ‘Friends of Pakistan’ could not hand over cash in just one sitting as they had their own systems which required fulfilment of some formalities.

He said the expected cabinet expansion would be announced on Monday, adding that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement would be a part of the new team.

He dismissed reports of PML-Q forward bloc members joining the cabinet, saying “the list that we have finalised does not carry any names from the group”.