950815

Govt determined

to separate crime

from politics: Benazir

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has categorically said that the ban on display of weapons will continue across the country till Pakistan Peoples Party remains in power.

Addressing the nation at the flag hoisting ceremony here on Monday she said that no civilized country can permit such weapons display or succumb to Klashnikov culture. Those who need protection on the roads must get such protection from the police, she stated.

Without naming MQM(Altaf) she said that since Sohrab Goth incident in 1985 a group has taken up arms in the name of ethnicity adding that "we cannot call a group having rocket launchers, grenades, explosive and missiles a political party". She srecalled that to end the politics of terror the government has decided to separate crime from politics and terrorism from dialogue.

The doors of government are open to all groups and parties for dialogue as it believes in handling the issues politically, she said but added that the political solutions are always based on give and take and on compromise, not on dictation.

She called upon on people of Karachi to support the government in its endeavour aimed at establishment of lasting peace in the troubled city.

She said that satability has now replaced instability, with this political stability, the government is determined to deal with the political challenges.

She said the government has made it clear that it will not accept sectarian politics. We have restored the writ of the government and decided to deal firmly with any sectarian party which picks up guns, fans/hatred or calls a Muslim 'kafir'.

Referring to the efforts being made by the government to weed out the drug problem from the society she said the government arrested narco-barons, extradited some of them and destroyed heroin laboratories.

The prime minister said that Pakistan would not allow any one of use its soil for acts of terrorism against other countries.

"We have already demonstrated our commitment to the global fight against terrorism by conducting raids against the Arab militants who stayed in Pakistan following Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and used our soil for acts of terrorism against several Arab countries."

She said "while we are against terrorism, it is important for all Muslim countries to help each other in tackling this problem".

Highlighting the importance of unity among the Ummah she said that in this world of transition Muslim unity is more important than it was ever before.

Condemning the ghastly murder of Norwegian hostage by unknown kidnappers in the Indian held Kashmir, the prime minister appealed for the immediate and Unconditional release of the remaining hostages.

"We are eagerly waiting for the day when all the hostages will be set free by the abductors", she said while declaring the policy of the Government of Pakistan on the issue.

Adopting a very firm and categorical position right from the beginning, Pakistan always denied having any information or knowledge about the kidnappers group, terming it as a drama being staged to sabotage the Kashmiri freedom movement.

Referring to Kashmiri struggle in Indian occupied Kashmir she said: "We have full faith in the Kashmiri people and know that Allah Almighty will bless them with success."

"We look to that day", she said and added that till that day comes, every Paksitani will stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with his Kashmiri brothers and sisters.

Rejecting Indian plans for holding elections in the occupied valley, she categorically said that no rigged elections can bring peace to the blood soaked held Kashmir.

She declared that no one can stop the struggle of the Kashmiri people and their courageous efforts will be crowned with success.-PPI