*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - September 7, 2009: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said here on Sunday that Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse was of the opinion that terrorist elements in his country might be involved in acts of violence in Pakistan.
Mr Gilani said that during his recent meeting in Libya, the Sri Lankan leader had told him there were indications that elements in Sri Lanka were linked to incidents of terrorism in Pakistan, including the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore. 
Pakistani army troops stand guard at a checkpoint in Bara, the main town of Pakistan's tribal region of Khyber, where security forces launched an offensive against militants on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. Pakistani troops killed alleged militants in an operation in the Khyber tribal region.
He said that investigators in both countries were also looking into reports that terrorists in Pakistan had received finances from Sri Lanka.
The prime minister who was talking to journalists at the Shifa hospital where he had gone to inquire after the health of Religious Affairs Minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi, also said that after the success of the operation in Swat and Malakand, the government was preparing an exit strategy as part of a long-term plan to root out terrorism.
He, however, said that the army would stay in Swat and other areas to eradicate militancy and restore peace.
The government, he said, was considering a proposal to set up a cantonment in Swat.
About the chief ministers’ meeting convened by him, Mr Gilani said it would try to work out a common strategy on supply and prices of sugar and other essential commodities.
He said that in Punjab sugar was still being sold at Rs47 per kg and despite LHC’s order and tax relief, mill-owners had refused to reduce the price.
He said the government wanted uniform sugar price across the country, adding that the decision to sell sugar at Rs47 per kg had been taken in consultation with all stakeholders, including ministries concerned, the Trading Corporation of Pakistan and representatives of sugar mills.
About the criticism of the Northern Areas political package, Mr Gilani said it had been prepared in accordance with a longstanding demand of the people of Gilgit and Baltistan.
The package, he said, gave the people of Northern Areas internal autonomy and sovereignty in their affairs and now they had the authority similar to that enjoyed by provinces. 
Pakistani army troops stand guard at a checkpoint in Bara, the main town of Pakistan's tribal region of Khyber, where security forces launched an offensive against militants on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. Pakistani troops killed alleged militants in an operation in the Khyber tribal region.
He said that investigators in both countries were also looking into reports that terrorists in Pakistan had received finances from Sri Lanka.
The prime minister who was talking to journalists at the Shifa hospital where he had gone to inquire after the health of Religious Affairs Minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi, also said that after the success of the operation in Swat and Malakand, the government was preparing an exit strategy as part of a long-term plan to root out terrorism.
He, however, said that the army would stay in Swat and other areas to eradicate militancy and restore peace.
The government, he said, was considering a proposal to set up a cantonment in Swat.
About the chief ministers’ meeting convened by him, Mr Gilani said it would try to work out a common strategy on supply and prices of sugar and other essential commodities.
He said that in Punjab sugar was still being sold at Rs47 per kg and despite LHC’s order and tax relief, mill-owners had refused to reduce the price.
He said the government wanted uniform sugar price across the country, adding that the decision to sell sugar at Rs47 per kg had been taken in consultation with all stakeholders, including ministries concerned, the Trading Corporation of Pakistan and representatives of sugar mills.
About the criticism of the Northern Areas political package, Mr Gilani said it had been prepared in accordance with a longstanding demand of the people of Gilgit and Baltistan.
The package, he said, gave the people of Northern Areas internal autonomy and sovereignty in their affairs and now they had the authority similar to that enjoyed by provinces. Soldiers of Pakistani army patrol during a crackdown operation against militants in Pakistan's tribal region of Khyber on Friday, Sept. 4, 2009. Government forces destroyed four militant bases and killed 40 insurgents, including two militant commanders on Wednesday.
Answering a question about complaints regarding lack of consultations, Mr Gilani said he had held consultations with the president and the prime minister of Azad Kashmir on the region’s new status.
The prime minister rejected a perception that the reforms package would have a negative impact on Pakistan’s stand on Kashmir and said the government was firm on its principled stand and would keep on supporting the Kashmiri people.
When asked about the duration of the military operation in tribal areas, he said the government, army and nation were united in the resolve to stamp out terrorism.
He stressed the need for making people and religious scholars aware about threats posed by terrorism which was affecting economic development and creating serious law and order problems.
‘Military operation is just one component of the government’s multi-dimensional policy. It was started when terrorism reached an extreme point,’ he said.
Terrorism, Mr Gilani said, could not be eliminated overnight, adding that law-enforcement agencies, local administration and politicians were working together to establish good governance and carry out development projects.
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