Don't pay heed to rumours: Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Thursday that all the state institutions were working within constitutional ambit and urged the nation to forge unity in its ranks for countering challenges. Talking to media persons after chairing first-ever federal cabinet meeting at Governor's House here, the Prime Minister urged people not to pay heed to rumours.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashaq Awan, Governor of Khyber Pakthunkhwa Barrister Masood Kausar and Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti were also present on the occasion. Replying to a question regarding the decisions taken by the government in the aftermath of Nato attacks on army posts in Mohmand Agency, the Prime Minister said all the decisions taken by the elected government reflected the nation's aspirations.
The decisions taken by the Defence Cabinet Committee were endorsed by Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Cabinet, he added. The decisions were also taken in accordance with the resolutions of an All-Party Conference and Parliament, he said. According to him, the whole nation supported the new terms of engagement with the United States.
Gilani said the government would secure guarantees from the US to ensure Pakistan's sovereignty as "enough is enough." "We need surety and guarantee for the protection of country's sovereignty and such unilateral action should not occur in future," he added.
Answering another question, the Prime Minister rejected the possibility of talks with the Taliban. Talks would be held with those militants who surrendered to the political agent as per the customs of tribal areas and denounced militancy and extremism, he added.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan wanted a stable, progressive and sovereign Afghanistan. "We have common border and will live together forever while the aliens will have to leave the region one day," he explained. According to him, both Pakistan and Afghanistan have common enemies and have heavily suffered due to terrorism. The Prime Minister said a record amount of Rs 1.5 trillion had been spent on development projects in the country during last four years. He directed the authorities for early start of construction work on the Peshawar Northern By-pass.