PM Gilani says Pakistan to eliminate terrorism and extremism

PM Gilani says Pakistan to eliminate terrorism and extremism

2011-03-24 03:15:00 GMT+7 (ICT)

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani oN Wednesday assured that Pakistan will eliminate terrorism and extremism, the APP news agency reported.

"Pakistan will eliminate terrorism and extremism from its midst as these notions were contrary to our collective ethos, identity and religious teachings," said Gilani. "The idea of Pakistan is too vibrant and dynamic to bow before the forces of terrorism and extremism."

Gilani said that the Pakistani government is doing its best to achieve its founding fathers' dream of a truly democratic, moderate, and welfare Islamic state that satisfies the needs of its population.

The remarks came during a ceremony to celebrate Pakistan Day which commemorates the adoption of a resolution 71 years ago, based on the Muslims' right to self-determination, unique culture and civilization.

"March 23 is a day when the Muslims of the sub-continent decided to launch a peaceful democratic struggle to achieve a separate homeland where they could live as free and equal citizens in accordance with the principles of social justice propounded by Islam," said Gilani.

The PM highlighted that since taking office, his government has taken a number of key steps including the restoration of original character of Constitution through the 18th and 19th Amendments, political ownership to war on terror, Aagaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Initiative, strengthening of Parliament and other state institutions, pro-women and pro-minorities' reforms and Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment & Self-Governance Order 2009.

Pakistan suffers from terrorism and extremism as it is located next to Afghanistan. The U.S. currently conducts a drone campaign in Pakistan aimed at disrupting al-Qaeda and Taliban-allied insurgents in the Afghan border area.

The campaign focuses mostly in the North and South Waziristan area as the region is known to be a stronghold of the Haqqani Network, which is considered one of the top terrorist organizations and threats to U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The U.S. considers the tribal regions along the Pakistani-Afghan border as the most dangerous place on Earth.

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