Attacks to continue, say US officials: Pentagon terms June 10 strike ‘legitimate’

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Only unanimous constitution can unite Pakistan: PM

Updated at: 2035 PST, Tuesday, June 17, 2008

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani Tuesday said the people of Balochistan have always given utmost importance to Pakistan’s interests.

Addressing PILDAT Conference here, the Prime Minister said only the undisputed Constitution could keep the federation strong and united.

“The issues of Balochistan will be resolved by holding dialogue,” he said adding he had met with a number of political leaders of Balochistan today.

The Premier observed the people of Balochistan had been politically ignored.

“Balochistan only needs Rs8 billion to make its budget,” he pointed out adding “the government has provided the province with Rs3 billion.”

He said clashes among institution would only worsen the situation; therefore, “it is imperative to adopt a constitutional path.”

We are strictly following the Charter of Democracy and will never disappoint the people, he added.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani vowed to fulfill the promises made to the people to restore the constitution.

Only unanimous constitution can unite Pakistan: PM

 

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US denies targeting Pakistani troops

By Khalid Hasan

WASHINGTON: A senior State Department official has said that US troops did not “target” Pakistani soldiers as maintained by some, including former Pakistani army chief and ambassador to the United States Jehangir Karamat.
Donald Camp, deputy assistant secretary of state, was asked after his address to the annual meeting of the Pakistani-American Congress, if he would comment on Karamat’s accusation, carried by the New York Times in a report on Wednesday that American troops had for the first time directly targeted Pakistani soldiers, 11 of whom lost their lives. Camp replied that there had been no targeting of Pakistani soldiers. Details of what happened, he added, remain “murky”. The two countries had decided to hold a joint investigation into the incident, which, he was confident, would produce “quick results”. He disagreed that the “honeymoon” between Pakistan and the United States was over. He said both countries realise that they have problems but that is normal in any relationship. The US, he pointed out, has problems with Europe but the relations remain friendly. Pakistan, he said, is an important partner and “I am sure we’ll get over this”. He said the US has a good ambassador in Pakistan who stays in touch with all developments and with all key figures.
In answer to another question, Camp said, fencing the Pakistan-Afghanistan border is not the best option. What is needed is “better coordination”. Answering another question, he said Pervez Musharraf is the head of state and “we deal with him on that basis”, while pointing out that President Bush had met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in Sharm-ul-Sheikh. As for the judges’ issue, Camp said, that remains an issue for Pakistan to deal with. “We are outsiders,” he added, while stressing that the matter is in parliament which is “where it should be”. Relations with Pakistan are important, he said, and the US has supported and facilitated the February 18 elections and is “delighted to deal with the elected government”. He denied that there are US troops in Pakistan. “We respect the laws of Pakistan,” he added. He also praised the “enormous” effort Pakistan is making in the Tribal Areas. He said bills are pending in both the House and the Senate relating to funding for the establishment of economic opportunity zones in Pakistan’s Tribal Areas and the administration is trying for a “bipartisan consensus” in Congress on this important issue. He sounded confident of the success of the effort.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan