Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani today said the new government would fight terrorism in all its forms "democratically, economically and strategically".

During a meeting with visiting US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, Gillani reiterated Pakistan's firm resolve to address terrorism but said the "world community has to do more in order to develop a collective approach".

Gillani, who took the oath of office yesterday, said his new government would fight terrorism in all its forms democratically, economically and strategically. "This is also a matter of concern for us and we would confront it with complete determination," he said.

The economic empowerment of people in the northwestern tribal areas is the key to addressing extremism in that region, he added.

The Pakistani prime minister expressed confidence that the establishment of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) with American aid will help increase economic activities in these areas and create new opportunities to improve the standard of living.

Several missile attacks in the tribal areas blamed on US-led forces in Afghanistan have sparked anger in Pakistan. PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, whose party is a key ally in the coalition to be led by Gillani, had yesterday said the new government would review its role in the war on terror.

Gillani said Pakistan has been consistently fighting terrorism and had made tremendous sacrifices, including the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto.

Source : PTI