Thaindian News

Islamabad, June 25 (IANS) Pakistan’s historic victory in the World Twenty20 tournament had revived the spirit of nationhood in a country that had been suffering from “depression” for the “last few years”, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Thursday.
“Since the last few years there was a lot of depression in our beloved country. We were in need of happiness, which has been brought in due to the excellent performance of our cricket team,” APP news agency quoted Gilani as saying at a reception he hosted for the cricket team at the PM House here.

“Today I am very proud of addressing the heros of my country”, the prime minister said, announcing a grant of Rs.10 million for the team.

Despite the fact that Pakistan was not amongst the favorites in the competition, the team’s performance in the true spirit of Pakistan had led to its triumph, Gilani said, adding: “The whole nation is proud of you.”

Noting the need to rise above the various divides of castes, creeds and sects, he said: “We should only be proud of being and called as Pakistanis.”

In this context, he pointed out that the presence of people from all four provinces was proof enough that the whole country was celebrating the cricketing triumph.

“Whenever there is a talk of Pakistan, the whole nation stands united,” he added.

Politicians from across the spectrum, National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza, federal ministers, artists and officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board attended the reception, at which the prime minister presented mementos to each member of the team.

Gilani also utilised the occasion to deliver a strong message against terrorism.

“We will, Insha Allah, eliminate terrorism from this country soon. This country will again emerge as strong and prosperous nation,” he maintained.

The Pakistani security forces’ anti-Taliban operations in the Swat, Buner and Lower Dir districts entered their 60th day Thursday, with the military saying 1,599 militants have so far been killed.

The operations last week spread to South Waziristan in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) along the border with Afghanistan to target Pakistani Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud.

Some 3.8 million people have been displaced by the military operations and Pakistan has asked the global community to open their pockets to aid their relief and rehabilitation.