No action against Saeed without evidences, PM tells India

MULTAN: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has made it clear to India no action would be taken against Jamat ud Dawah Chief Hafiz Saeed without any concrete evidence against him for involvement in last year’s Mumbai attack. Talking to media men after Eid reception at circuit house in Multan, he added, Hafiz Saeed was being investigated and action would be taken after concrete evidence was made available against him. Pakistan will not allow terrorists to plot attacks on its soil against other countries, including archrival India, he said. He urged for accountability of all including the Prime minister and the members of the Parliament. He vowed to table an accountability bill in the Parliament soon while there is hairline difference between accountability and vengeance. Confrontation can not benefit anyone and we have to learn the lesson from the history, he said, adding that, strong Parliament will strengthen the government. Pakistan People’s Party has always struggled for the supremacy of the parliament, he said. Answering to a question, he said, we have accepted the power crisis as a challenge and there is no flour crisis in the country and the flour has been available to meet the needs of the country. The government did not hold anyone responsible for the power crisis, he said. He refused to comment on the sugar issue saying the matter has been in the court. ‘We want to take along the politics of reconciliation and will be able to steer the country out of the confronting crisis, he said. When asked about Balochistan, he said, Balochi are our brothers and we will end their sense of deprivation. The problems cannot end in one day; however, headway is underway and constitutional issues are being resolved, he said. The government pledged to lift restrictions on media and reinstate deposed judges and it fulfilled its promise. The global fight against terrorism requires not just a military solution but also gaining the trust of civilians in regions where insurgents operate, he said. No war against terrorism can be won without the support of the people, he said, adding that, winning over the hearts and minds of the civilian population was crucial in assisting the military offensive in Swat, Gilani noted. To a question on reported US embassy expansion, he said that government is loyal to the country and would not take any step that goes against the interests of the country. He said that repeal of 17th amendment was a promise made by martyred party leader Mohtarma Benazir BhuttoBenazir Bhutto and this promise will be fulfilled. He said that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz SharifNawaz Sharif had both signed the Charter of Democracy (CoD) and President Asif Ali ZardariAsif Ali Zardari has also reiterated his commitment twice during his addresses to the joint sitting of the parliament to implement the CoD. He said that Chief Minister has announced to give Multan the status of big city and hoped that the decision will be implemented after completion of proper procedure.