Dialogue only with people who renounced violence in FATA: Pak PM

Islamabad, July 26 : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the government would engage in dialogue only with people who had renounced violence in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Referring to the agreement inked between the Taliban and the NWFP government in the Tribal Areas, Gilani said that if it failed, the government would adopt another strategy.

"It was the people's and the government's wish that the army not be used to battle terrorists in the Tribal Areas of the country," he added.

On the reinstatement of the sacked judges, he said that all coalition partners were being consulted on the issue. The government had no choice but to add a clause in the finance bill referring to an increase in the number of Supreme Court judges.

He also said the Government's two main priorities are strengthening the economy and maintaining law and order in Pakistan.

"These two issues were linked, as investment and economic activity were not possible without peace. To ensure economic stability, the Government had been forced to take some "unpopular decisions," he added.

"The government was aware of the sufferings of the population, but had been compelled to take decisions to increase the prices of fuel and food commodities for the country's overall economic stability," he said.

"The beneficiaries would be identified through the National Database and Registration Authority and would be facilitated without any political discrimination," the Daily Times quoted him, as saying.

ANI