ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has stated that Pakistan should not be portrayed as a war zone, as the war against terrorism was forced upon us due to the world’s non-caring of region after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.“Pakistan should not be portrayed as a war zone. When the Soviets marched into Afghanistan, a broad alliance was formed against that invasion. We were part of this international alliance.

“But after the war was over, the world did not care for our region any longer. And the militants advanced into the vacuum. That is the problem we have to fight with till this day. It was forced upon us”, Prime Minister Gilani said in an interview with “Der Spiegel” - English edition of the famous German Magazine ahead of his visit to Germany.

To a question, the Prime Minister said Pakistan which faces a unique situation is a frontline state in a conflict, whose outcome will decide on peace, progress and well-being.

“It is not only decisive for the future of Pakistan or Asia but for the future of the whole world”, he added.

The Prime Minister, further said, “We are doomed to succeed.

In Waziristan I first counted on dialogue and a good development.  But when the militants increasingly challenged our country, there was no option left but a military operation”.

To another query, Prime Minister Gilani said, “We fight against terrorists. They are not Pakistanis, they are Uzbeks, Chechens, Arabs and Afghans. And they cooperate with agents of foreign powers to destroy peace in Pakistan”.

He said there are militant Pakistanis, adding, but the revolt is driven by foreign elements.

“There are in fact interferences in Afghanistan. This is not only our opinion, many people in USA think the same”, he added.

To a question as if Pakistan has any evidence against India, the Prime Minister said, “I don’t say that there is evidence. But many experts have analyzed the revolt already, like American think tanks, and they mention strange involvements”.

The Prime Minister in response to another query said when people all over the world think of Pakistan, they mainly think of terrorism, adding, “of course, this has battered the image of our country. But you must not forget that otherwise, we are making good progress”.

“Despite all these things, terrorism is no topic in large parts of the country. We care for the security of workers and employees, we care for our immigrants for other countries, among them e.g. many engineers”.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan loses foreign investment as people just sate on the terror problem, which not only harms Pakistan but these investors as well. “Can’t they see that Pakistan has made enormous developments?”, he questioned.

About concerns on Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, Gilani said “there are many lobbyists in the world - and many of them work against Pakistan. They fuel this fear that our nuclear facilities were not safe. These people want to discredit our country”.

He, however, added, “I guarantee you, I guarantee our people and I guarantee the world that our complete command structure is in the most reliable hands. It is absolutely sure. By the way, USA thinks this, too”.

To a question about US drone attacks, the Prime Minister said “Our top government and military people are very successful in driving wedges between the militants and the local tribes. But after every drone attack they close ranks again.

“This is a dangerous development, this is what I worry about and what the army worries about. The drones also do no good, because they boost anti-American resentment throughout the country”.

“And if we want to fight against the insurgents in Waziristan, we will have to have the support of the people. You cannot go to war without the masses. We need enormous public support to defeat terrorism. But we will not get that if the Americans interfere without us having asked for it”, he added.

The Prime Minister said at present all people in Pakistan support our military strikes, because they fear the terror threat.

To another question Gilani said, a stable Afghanistan is absolutely in our interest, adding, “We support every policy that is good for the Afghan people. The main goal should be the stability of the region”.

About Pakistan-Germany relations, the Prime Minister said, “We have special relations with Germany. The two countries were the first to sign a Bilateral Investment Treaty - that was in 1959.  So why shouldn’t we continue our good relations? Germany already is the fourth biggest investor in Pakistan, European Union is in lead”.

“We would be happy about investments in all sectors. There are many opportunities e.g. in agriculture, in energy and in infrastructure sectors”, he added.

To a question as if he would hold talks about buying German submarines while in Berlin, the Prime Minister said, “We will need some more time before making a final decision”.