Gilani rules out talks with militants until they surrender

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has ruled out any talks with militants, and said the government will not make any compromises on the country’s sovereignty.

Talking to media persons, Gilani said his government was ready to hold dialogue with only those terrorists, who would lay down their weapons and surrender themselves before the local political agents.

He further said that Pakistan was under threat from “terrorism and extremism”, and that the security situation and the war on terrorism were taking a heavy toll on the country’s economy.

His government was striving to overcome the financial crunch, taking it as a challenge, he added.

“I don’t have a political threat, I have an economic threat and I am two hundred percent sure that we will overcome it,” SAMAA TV quoted Gilani, as saying.

“Had a proper planning been done some five years back, the issue of inflation would not have grown to such proportion,” he added.

To a question regarding any decision on the governor rule or deployment of army in Karachi to control the prevailing law and order situation, the PM said the decision would be taken in consultation with all political stakeholders.

Gilani said he had summoned the session of National Assembly to discuss the issue and reach a decision with mutual consultation.

Pakistan’s Intelligence agencies, the provincial government and political parties were giving feedback to the government on the law and order situation and about the elements involved in target killings in Karachi, he added. (ANI)