Extremism

Islamabad, Jul 27: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that his country was fighting Al Qaeda and the Taliban in its own interest. He said this while talking to media persons before embarking on his first official visit to the US.

The prime minister's statement assumes significance especially in the wake of reports that Pakistan had joined the US-led global war on terror under pressure from Washington. "Extremism and terrorism are our own problems. This is our own fight. My priority is to maintain law and order in the country ... and that's why it is in our own interest that extremism and terrorism is contained," he told reporters at the Chaklala Airbase before his departure to Washington.

Gilani said that during his visit he would also exchange views with US President George W Bush and other US leaders on forging co-operation in defence, education, health, science and technology, agriculture and intelligence-sharing, reported the Daily Times.

On addressing the investors' roundtable conference on Pakistan's power sector during his visit, he said that the initiative would attract substantial investment in the country's energy sector. "Now the investment will come in a big way," he added.

According to the paper, during a stopover in London, Gilani stated that Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had told him that India was ready for dialogue to resolve all disputes between the two countries.

During his stay in Washington, Gilani is also scheduled to have meetings with senior members of the US administration and may also meet presumptive presidential nominees John McCain and Barack Obama.

ANI