Gilani calls for political solution to terror fight

New premier Yousuf Raza Gilani told US President George W. Bush that a broader approach to the ‘war on terror’ is necessary, including political solutions and development programmes, a statement said. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani made the comments when Bush telephoned him on Tuesday to congratulate him on taking office. Meanwhile, former premier Nawaz Sharif told two US envoys on Tuesday that the new government would review President Pervez Musharraf’s anti-terror policies and focus on what was best for Pakistan. Gilani told Bush “that Pakistan would continue to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations since it is in Pakistan’s own national interest,” said a statement issued late Tuesday by his office.”However, he said that a comprehensive approach is required in this regard, specially combining a political approach with development programmes,” it added.Gilani said that Pakistan was “committed to maintaining long-term close ties with the USA.” Gilani was due to meet with visiting Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher later Wednesday, a day after they met President Musharraf and Sharif, his office said.Sharif said he told Negroponte that a parliamentary committee would look at Musharraf’s policies on curbing militancy, saying the new government wanted to tackle extremism but did not want the country to become a “murder-house.”
Meanwhile Bush used his authority to exempt Pakistan from a law that restricts funding countries where the legitimate head of state was deposed by a military coup, as in Pakistan, the White House said Tuesday.