KARACHI, Jan 12: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has reiterated his government’s stand that there is no agreement to allow US drone attacks in Fata and Pakistan is seeking support of other countries to get the attacks stopped.

He has expressed the hope that the new US administration will change the policy, adding that Pakistan, being a sovereign country, can never agree to US drone attacks.

The prime minister was talking to journalists at a ceremony held on Monday for handing over indigenously-built logistic ships to Pakistan Navy at the Karachi Shipyeard and Engineering Works.

Answering a question about conferring the Hilal-i-Pakistan award on US Vice President-elect Joe Bidden, Mr Gilani said it had been done because Mr Bidden had played a key role in restoration of democracy in Pakistan and for the doffing of the military uniform by former president Pervez Musharraf.

About Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik’s meeting with MQM chief Altaf Hussain in London, Mr Gilani said Mr Malik had gone to London with his permission to meet Mr Hussain who was an ally of the PPP-led government.

Referring to inflation, the prime minister admitted that prices of all commodities had gone up, but said this was a universal phenomenon. He said the government needed time to address the problem which became severe because of what he called eight years of bad government.

“We have got a mandate for five years and all problems could not be solved in eight months,” the prime minister said.

When asked to comment on the lawyers’ movement and PML-N’s support for it, Mr Gilani said it was their own affair and his government had no objection to it. He said the PPP had been in the forefront of the movement and offered sacrifices for restoration of judiciary and democracy.

He told a questioner that the government was not against the local government system, but wanted to take some measures to make it more effective.

Earlier, Mr Gilani performed the launching of the first indigenously-built tanker-cum-utility ship. Two ships of the type are being built at the KSEW for Pakistan Navy and the work will be completed by the end of the year. The second ship will be launched by the end of next month.

The 47-metre-long multi-purpose ships can carry out a number of tasks, including replenishment at sea, providing support to PN fleet for marine operations such as mine laying, torpedo recovery, search and rescue activities and logistical support to coastal stations. The prime minister said he was impressed by the turnaround of the KSEW and the quality work done by its skilled personnel.