ISI will never be asked to appear before US court: PM
ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani assured the National Assembly on Thursday that ISI (Inter Services Agency), being the country’s extremely important and sensitive organization, would never be asked to appear before a US court. “We are as sensitive about this issue as any other in the House,” the Prime Minister said after Opposition Leader Ch. Nisar expressed apprehensions over summoning of the top intelligence agency officias by a US court.The Prime Minister though refrained from announcing what he called a ‘policy statement’ on the issue, however, held out a firm assurance that a decision to that effect, if taken, would involve mutual consensus.He dispelled the perception as if the government was not in the knowledge of certain important developments, saying “we are in know of everything.”
Turning to Balochistan, Gilani said law enforcement agencies, including Frontier Constabulary, Frontier Corps and Federal Investigation Agency, could not take actions on their own without the approval of the provincial government.
The Prime Minister said many a time the government took onboard the nation and all political leadership within as well as outside the House before it launched military offensives against terrorists in Malakand, Swat and South Waziristan Agency.
He said it was an important decision meant to improve law and order a pre-requisite for improving the economy. “Until and unless conducive law and order prevails (in the country), investment will not going to come, a single suicide blast undermines a very good scenario of investment,” he added.
The Prime Minster spelled out two top most priorities of the government that were attached to law and order and economy from day one, and said both were inter-related.
Gilani said it was unprecedented in the history of world that 2.5 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of militancy-hit areas of Pakistan returned to their homes within the short period of just three months. “It’s our success story,” he said.
Gilani said the whole nation and political leadership were united against terrorism which destablised country’s economy, besides other affairs.
The Prime Minister brushed aside the impression that the government would launch a military action after being influenced by either the US or any foreign country and termed such thoughts as not wise thinking.
“We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan. There wouldn’t be any compromises,” the Prime Minister said.
He said thew nation would decide where to carry out military operation and no one else could dictate Pakistan over it.
The Prime Minister drew attention of the House towards involvement of foreign elements in Balochistan and asked everybody (in the House) to shoulder responsibility and be counted for improving the situation there. “Let’s devise a mutual strategy,” he added.
He commended the people of Balochistan and described them as patriotic as anyone in Pakistan. He said the people of Balochistan had rendered sacrifices for Pakistan.