Delay in India talks to help terrorists: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Friday that any delay in resumption of Pakistan-India composite dialogue would benefit only terrorists and relations between the two countries could be improved only through talks.

Talking to journalists after inaugurating the Islamabad Stock Exchange Towers, the prime minister said the role of politicians was to build bridges and not to erect walls.
Mr Gilani, who was answering questions about his recent meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said Pakistan was looking forward to sharing information with India on the Balochistan issue.
‘The issue was discussed with Dr Manmohan Singh. We will provide information about Balochistan once the dialogue starts,’ he said.
He praised Dr Singh’s speech on the issue in Lok Sabha and his ‘vision and leadership.’ He said Pakistan wanted friendly relations with its neighbours and an the meetings between the foreign ministers and foreign secretaries of the two countries to be held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York would be a step towards composite dialogue.
The prime minister brushed aside a comment by British High Commissioner Robert Brinkley that Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, Taliban chief Mulla Omar or other leaders of their groups were in Pakistan.
‘I disagree with him,’ Mr Gilani said.
In his speech at the stock exchange inauguration ceremony, the prime minister described terrorism and militancy as the biggest threat to economy, particularly to foreign investment.
‘Our success in the fight against militancy in Swat and other areas shows the commitment of the government to root out this menace.’
He said the international community which had earlier expressed concerns over the rise of militancy and terrorism was now praising the government’s action.