Gilani in favour of dialogue with militants

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has renewed a conditional offer of dialogue to warring militants in Pakistan's tribal region bordering Afghanistan and said his government wanted to bring them into the national mainstream. Gilani, who was speaking overnight in a monthly television programme to answer questions from countrymen, said the government was ready to hold dialogue with militants on the condition they surrender their weapons before authorities in the tribal districts. But he warned that the security forces would take action against militants who persist in their violent campaign. "If they will challenge writ of the government, target innocent people and attack cities, public property, installations, police stations and railways the government will take action against them," he said. To a question about reports of military operation in the tribal North Waziristan district he said: "We will think whether there is any need for it. We will not interfere unnecessarily." The United States has been demanding a full scale military offensive by Pakistan in North Waziristan against militants, especially the Haqqani network which Washington says is involved in carrying out attacks in Afghanistan. Gilani said his government "is not taking dictation from anybody for action in North Waziristan but it will take action when its writ is challenged." "We are not fond of any military action and we want to have an exit strategy," he said, in apparent reference to the conflict in the border region where Pakistani forces have been battling local Taliban insurgents and other militants for the past seven years. The prime minister said the government was following the policy of dialogue, development and deterrence to bring the militants into the national mainstream. He said Pakistan would not allow anybody to use its soil for acts of terrorism and action would be taken against foreigners living illegally in the country. "We shall eliminate terrorism from the country," he said adding it was not in the national interest to have any sympathy for Osama Bin Laden, who was responsible for the deaths of 36,000 citizens, 5,000 soldiers and injuries to thousands of people in acts of terrorism. He said the armed forces, federal and provincial governments, intelligence agencies and police were collectively responsible for fulfilling the primary duty of the state to protect the life and property of citizens. The government is working to formulate a comprehensive strategy to pre-empt terror acts and provide foolproof security, he said. From / Gulf News