By NNN-APP,
Washington/Islamabad : As Pakistan made fresh gains in its anti militant drive in South Waziristan, the United States said it is pleased with success of the operation, taking place along Pakistan-Afghan border region considered critical to security efforts in both countries.
State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly also reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to back the ally with economic and security assistance.
“We’ve been very supportive of their offensive in South Waziristan and supportive of their efforts to deal with the problem of the violent extremists in the region,” Kelly stated when asked to comment on Pakistan’s capture of some strategic towns including Sararogha, which until recently were feared as Taliban strongholds.
The Obama administration says Pakistan’s anti Taliban achievements in Swat in the summer and South Waziristan currently have boosted its confidence in the country’s ability to rout the militants.
At the briefing, Kelly indicated the growing confidence in the Pakistani government by renewing the administration’s commitment to economic and security support for the South Asian nation.
“We have a robust partnership with Pakistan, an aid package that is supportive of their economic development efforts, but also of their û some of their security efforts.”
In ISLAMABAD, Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Tuesday expressed satisfaction over the success of the military operation and said militant strongholds have been captured and targets were being achieved.
The prime minister was addressing a press conference here at D I Khan at the end of a day-long visit to meet and see the facilities being extended to the Internally Displaced Persons.
“The terrorists are now on the run,” Gilani said but said he could not divulge details of the future operations as it could warn the terrorists.
The prime minister who earlier pointed involvement of foreign elements in terrorist activities in the country said Arab, Uzbek, Chechyn and Afghan nationals were involved in such activities.
The Prime Minister said terrorism stemmed from poverty and illiteracy and the government was working to provide health, education, employment and other basic facilities in the tribal areas to bring the people to the mainstream.
Prime Minister Gilani said an international Trust Fund for development in NWFP, FATA and Balochistan has been set up that will help in quicker disbursement of payments for the development of Malakand and Swat.
He said the international community now firmly believes that peace and stability in Pakistan and Afghanistan were vital for the world peace.
He said D I Khan and Tank were suffering from severe water shortage and poor sewerage system and assured that funds would be allocated for improvement of water supply and a proper sewerage system.
He said it was for the first time that he was here and assured that all the problems of the areas will be addressed. He said the cut-off date for the registration of IDPs has been increased. He also assured that the government will consider increase in the Rs 5000 payment to each family, on the recommendation of the Mahsud tribals.
Gilani said it was time that the provincial government, philanthropists and MNAs come forward to assist the IDPs Waziristan as they did for the ones from Swat and Malakand.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Governor NWFP Owais Ghani, Minister for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan, Minister for Interior Rehman Malik, Minister of State for Finance Hina Rabbani Khar and Chairman BISP Farzana Raja.
Earlier, the Prime Minister upon his arrival in D.I. Khan on a day-long visit to see the facilities for IDPs of Waziristan and meet the people of Mehsood tribe, was received by Chief of Special Support Group, Lt. Gen. Nadeem Ahmad and senior officials.
Lt. Gen. Nadeem Ahmad in a briefing told the Prime Minister that 37,000 out of a total of 57,000 families – displaced from South Waziristan to DI Khan and Tank, have so far been registered.
The Prime Minister was told that an IDP family immediately after the registration is provided with one month ration. Whereas after the verification by NADRA, the registered IDP families are also issued smart cards, which enables them to have Rs. 5000 shopping from the local market.
Lt. Gen. Nadeem Ahmad told the Prime Minister that Pakistan Army has also established a big field hospital in the area, where every day 900 patients are being provided with medical facilities.
The Commissioner D.I. Khan in his presentation told the Prime Minister that additional police force has been deployed in the area to check the possible movement of terrorists in the guise of IDPs. He said CCTV cameras have been installed at various points of city.