Pakistan wants drones' technology, operating control: Gilani

[LahoreEstate]

RECORDER REPORT
LAHORE (June 07 2009): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani on Saturday laid the foundation stone of 42-kanal Aiwan-e-Quaid-e-Azam that would cost Rs 510 million. The construction of the Aiwane-e-Quaid will be carried out under Nazria Pakistan Trust for which the Prime Minister announced Rs 100 million on the occasion.

Aiwan-e-Quaid-e-Azam would be an ideological university in which children belonging to four provinces of Pakistan, Azad Kashmir, Tribal area, East Pakistan would be eligible to study. The building would have media studies centre, library, document centre, gallery of pictures on Pakistan movement.

The Aiwan-e-Quaid-e-Azam would have a wide hall, audio, video and a souvenir shop. The centre would serve as an excellent ideological cum educational facility. Talking to journalists after the ceremony said that government had strongly opposed drone attacks to US, which were creating immense difficulties for it in it fight against militancy.

He said government and military were following a strategy to isolate militants from tribal people, but the drone attacks were creating sympathies for those challenging the writ of the government. He said government had asked US to provide technology and operating control of drones. Prime Minister denied the impression that drone issue was not taken up by Pakistan with US in recent visit of US envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Hallbrooke.

To a question about civilian nuclear technology offered by France and US the Prime Minister said "We have talked to France in this regard and US has also made an offer. US has already civilian nuclear deal with India and they think that Pakistan should also be given the facility."

To another question, he said "acquisition of peaceful nuclear technology was every country's right and Iran also had full right in this regard." Regarding NFC award Prime Minister said it the commission had been constituted and soon its meeting would be convened, adding that resources among the provinces would be distributed as per their satisfaction.

Regarding India's reaction to Hafiz Muhammad Saeed's release by LHC he said it was India's point of view. PM said that he was proud that his father Makhdoom Alamdar Hussain Gillani (late) was an ardent soldier of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Referring to Majeed Nizami, PM said that his personality was a source of strength for all Pakistanis.

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