Concerned Pak PM says US drone attacks won't be allowed in Balochistan

Islamabad, Mar 29 (ANI): Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has expressed concern over reports of possible US drone attacks in Balochistan, and said such attacks will not be allowed.

Addressing a joint meeting of the parliamentary parties of the ruling coalition, the Prime Minister said the positive point in President Barack Obama's new strategy on Pakistan and Afghanistan was the adoption of a regional approach towards the problem.

He said the new US policy also seconded the Pakistani Government's three-pronged strategy based on dialogue, development and deterrence.

He said the Kerry-Lugar Bill would provide economic assistance to Pakistan, and that the money would be used on economic development in the region.

Gilani said "a handful of foreign terrorists", mostly Chechens and Arabs, were spreading terrorism and extremism in Pakistan's Tribal Areas.

The Daily Times quoted him as saying that the tribesmen were patriotic people and were not involved in terrorist activities.

The Prime Minister stressed the need for political parties and tribesmen to jointly devise a policy to curb suicide attacks, which he said were also creating negative impact on the economy.

He said the government believed in taking all political parties on board on the issues of national importance.

The meeting was marred by strong protest by some members against what they called the callous attitude of some of the ministers of Gilani's cabinet. (ANI)