November 11, 2008	Tuesday	Ziqa'ad 12, 1429

GILGIT, Nov 10: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik said on Monday that US president-elect Barack Obama would respect the sovereignty of Pakistan.

He said that the country was capable of countering the drone attacks.

Talking to reporters in Bunji after the passing out parade of the sixth batch of Northern Areas Scouts, he said the president and the prime minister had protested against the violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and the country’s legislatures had unanimously condemned the US attacks.

Mr Malik said the Federal Investigation Agency had detected a network of money laundering and its cyber crimes wing had found evidence on a computer of illegal transactions of billions of dollars.

He said the FIA had done a wonderful job and arrested a number of suspects while others would be held soon.

He said that stern action would be taken against those found involved in taking foreign currency out of the country.

Mr Malik said he had directed the FIA not to harass innocent people and take action only against those involved in money laundering, regardless of their status.

He appealed to overseas Pakistanis to send money through banks which were the safest way of remittances.

He said the president would go to China via Gilgit and adequate arrangements had been made to protect the Chinese working on the Karakoram Highway.

He said that a new wing of the scouts would be raised and the force would get all allowances and privileges received by the Pakistan Army.

He said that 100 personnel of the scouts would be attached with the anti-terrorism wing of the FIA.