Tribal areas: Gilani plays down rumours about US action

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday played down rumours about US military action in the tribal regions and said Islamabad will not allow any country to interfere.

The unannounced visit to Pakistan on Saturday by the US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Admiral Mike Mullen has raised more questions about the possibility of the American’s action.

“Pakistan is a sovereign country and we will not allow anyone to carry out operations in our territory,” Prime Minister Gilani told reporters. The Prime Minister was quick to add, “We should act as a responsible citizen and should not provide opportunity to any one. What the world would say if terrorist acts regularly take place in our country.”

“Why are you thinking about any foreign act? We are a sovereign country and will not allow any other nation to interfere in our internal matters,” Gilani said. During a short visit to Peshawar, Gilani said Mullen’s trip was a “routine visit aimed at enhancing bilateral co-operation between Pakistan and the United Sates.”

The prime minister condemned the killing of 17 paramilitary troops in the country restive north-west by the local Taliban on Saturday. “I salute the slain soldiers for their bravery. They did not surrender. They refused to hand over weapons to the terrorists,” Gilani said, while paying homage to the dead soldiers.