Terrorism is global phenomenon, it should be resolved globally: PM
ISLAMABAD, May 16 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday said that terrorism is a global phenomenon and not confined to one country alone and it should be resolved globally. In an interview with Chinese media at Prime Minister House ahead of his four-day official visit to China starting from May 17, the Prime Minister said, “Pakistan needs continued and holistic regional cooperation to fight terrorism and extremism.”
He said that the world should understand the gravity of the situation that Pakistan is confronting  and help enhance its capacity to eradicate the menace.
To a question about   efforts of Pakistan and China to fight against terrorism, the Prime Minister said it was  not the responsibility just of  these two countries but it was also the responsibility of the entire world to help  combat terrorism and extremism.
Lauding the role of China ‘at all difficult times’, he said, the people of Pakistan saw our great friend China by our side.  “History is a testimony to the truly and rock-solid foundation of our friendship and partnership,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that starting from Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai in the decade of early fiftees, successive generations of leadership of both countries have enriched this friendship and succeeded in giving it a comprehensive strategic dimension.
To a question about the May 2 incident, the Prime Minister said, China was the first country showing full solidarity with the Government of Pakistan. “ We are at the same page at all international fora,” the Prime Minister said.
“Whether it is the May 2 incident or any thing else China always openly supported Pakistan like a sincere friend and neighbour and we are proud of our friendship with China,” the Prime Minister said.
There is a lot of contribution and sacrifices of the people of Pakistan in  fighting terrorism and they have paid heavy price for it, the Prime Minister said and added there is realisation in the world that no other country has contributed to the war against terror  as much as Pakistan did.
“There is no comparison between sacrifices of Pakistani security forces and the NATO forces, he said, adding, the sacrifices of NATO forces are much less than those of our security forces,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that there  are a lot of commonalities between Pakistan and China and both the countries are cooperating in defence, economic, culture, education, infra-structure, power projects, construction of dams, expansion of KKH and media.
He said during his  forthcoming visit  to China, Pakistan would explore possibilities to expanding  relations in banking, trade and economic fields.
“My visit at this critical juncture would give further importance to the year 2011, being celebrated as Pak-China 60th friendship year,” the Prime Minister said.