PM Gilani: U.S. not using Pakistani bases for drone strike
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Xinhua, July 4, 2011
Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Sunday said that his government has never allowed the United States to use Pakistani air bases for strikes by its spy aircraft in the tribal regions.
Gilani's fresh statement came amid controversy about the use of Shamsi airbase in southwestern Balochistan province as local media has reported that the US had been using the air base for drone strikes.
Pakistani Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar said last week that Islamabad has asked the US to vacate the Shamsi air base. An unidentified American official in his reaction rejected Pakistan's call for leaving the air base.
Pakistani Air Chief told the joint session of the parliament in May that Shamsi air base has been leased out to the UAE and Pakistani media later reported that the UAE has allowed the US to use it for strikes by spy planes.
"My government has not allowed the US to use Pakistani air bases for drone strikes", Prime Minister Gilani told reporters in the central city of Multan on Sunday.
"The former government of President Pervez Musharraf had allowed the US to use the air bases for reconnaissance purpose," the Prime Minister said.
The unmanned aircraft regularly fire missiles into Pakistani tribal regions despite public opposition by Pakistani leaders, but the CIA has ruled out changes in the policy and insists that it is useful to eliminate al-Qaida and Taliban.
Responding to a question about tension along the border with Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan has lodged protest with the Afghan government over recent incursions by the militants into Pakistani territories from Afghan soil.
Pakistan army says that militants from Afghan soil have launched five attacks on border checkpoints in the Pakistani territories in a month, killing nearly 50 soldiers and injuring around 80 others.
Afghan authorities allege that Pakistani forces have recently fired hundreds of rockets and artillery shells into eastern Nangrahar and Kunar provinces, causing civilian casualties.
Responding to a question about the possibility of military operation against the militants in North Waziristan, Gilani said Pakistan will not carry out operation in North Waziristan tribal region on dictations by others.
"If it is in the interest of the country, we will go ahead with the plan, but if it is not in our interest we will not launch any operation on others' demands," he said, adding that the army and political leadership are on the same page to deal with the issue of violent militants.
To another question, the Prime Minister ruled out snap polls in the country after a key coalition partner parted ways with his government. He said the government will complete five- year constitutional term and the next elections will be held in early 2013 as per schedule.
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