QUETTA, June 4: Matters relating to Afghanistan and the war on terror will be settled with the United States keeping in view the country’s security and national interests, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said here on Monday.

He also said that decisions about the future of Afghanistan must be taken in consultation with Pakistan.

In an address at the Command and Staff College here, he said: “Our country has been facing challenges related to security and law and order due to an unabated spate of terrorism which has claimed the lives of over 5,000 military officers and soldiers and 30,000 civilians.”

He said Pakistan had suffered huge losses in the war against terrorism which posed a threat to international community.

The prime minister expressed the hope that the sacrifices rendered in war would restore peace and bring prosperity to the region and make the world peaceful.

He said Pakistan-US ties were multi-dimensional. But future relations with the US will be based on “our national interests, including security-related matters”.

The prime minister said Pakistan wanted to see a prosperous, developed and peaceful Afghanistan because “peace in the region is the requirement of our own country”.

“Pakistan wants to play its due role in securing peace and stability in the war-torn Afghanistan, besides strengthening efforts to end terrorism in the region.”

He said Pakistan had improved its relations with neighbouring countries. But there is need to ensure transparency in relations with the US, especially on issues pertaining to Afghanistan and the war on terror.

“The goals of any strategy on Afghanistan and the war on terror cannot be achieved by the US-led forces until Pakistan is included in the decisions and measures in this regard.”

He said the government was working to boost national economy, strengthen security and ensure that democracy flourished.

He said policies adopted by dictators had badly damaged the national economy and only a democratic government could guarantee economic stability, maintain law and order and resolve controversial issues through political dialogue.

“A nation can achieve the goals of progress and prosperity under a democratic government as it provides constitutional and political solutions to problems,” he said.

He stressed the need for strengthening parliament. The executive, parliament and judiciary should work within the constitutional framework. All institutions, the executive and judiciary should work within their limits. “There will be no confrontation if all state institutions work within their limits.”

He said the floods in 2010 had cost the country about $10 billion. But despite all the difficulties Pakistan’s economy is improving and inflation has been brought down to single digit.

“The GDP has witnessed growth and the volume of Karachi Stock Exchange has increased to $13 billion.”

He said Rs3 billion had been spent on rescue and rehabilitation of people affected by rains and floods in Sindh and Balochistan.

Replying to a question, he said billions of rupees had been provided to Balochistan to solve people’s problems and the government was striving to reduce unemployment.