ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday urged the United States to expedite the delayed payments of Coalition Support Fund claims and Foreign Military Funds to Pakistan at the current critical juncture when the government was engaged in military action in South Waziristan.

Talking to General David Petraeus, Commander US Central Command, at the PM House, the prime minister called for the supply of most needed equipment for Pakistan’s armed forces. Petraeus also seperately met COAS General Kayani to discuss the Waziristan offensive and other security related issues.

Gilani said that the infiltration from Afghanistan into Pakistan should be checked by the United States and Nato forces.

PM Gilani said that during the military operation in Malakand and now in South Waziristan, Pakistan was fighting at both military and socio-economic fronts.

He said it was imperative to do more for the socio-economic development in the affected areas to address the root causes of terrorism and economic deprivation of the people.

The premier said the successful operation in Swat, Malakand and South Waziristan had proved Pakistan’s firm resolve to root out the menace of terrorism from its soil.

He nonetheless highlighted the need for the capacity building of the law enforcement agencies by the USA and other friends of Pakistan.

The prime minister also drew the attention of General Patraeus to the expected influx of dislocated persons from South Waziristan region to the extent of around 100,000 and hoped that the assistance to provide relief and rehabilitation to the dislocated persons would continue unabated.

General Patraeus, while conveying his condolences and commiserations over the loss of lives and injuries sustained by many in the recent spate of terrorist incidents in Pakistan lauded Pakistan’s resolve and determination to root out the militants from its soil and said the United States ‘acknowledges the sacrifices of Pakistan in the war on terror’.

He assured PM Gilani that the remaining balance of the CSF and FMF payments would be released to Pakistan as soon as possible and welcomed the new mechanism of streamlining the process of lodging the claims, which was being put in place by the Government of Pakistan.

He said the US would also stand by Pakistan as a strategic partner and expressed the hope that the misperceptions created in Pakistan about the Kerry-Lugar bill would be put at rest by the joint explanatory statement issued by the Chairmen of Foreign Relations Committees of both the Houses of Congress.

He said the ongoing defence cooperation will be strengthened between the two countries by fast tracking the supply of equipment required by Pakistan’s armed forces.

General Petraeus also undertook to convey to the US government Pakistan’s keen desire to acquire the drone technology to take full ownership of action against the militants and terrorists in the Fata region.—APP