US, UK should share intelligence about Osama with us: Gilani

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has rejected reports that Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden is in Pakistan, saying the country will act if Britain and the US share actionable intelligence about his whereabouts.

"So far, the US and the UK have not shared any actionable intelligence regarding the top Al Qaeda leadership," Gilani told a group of reporters accompanying him on an official visit to Germany and Britain, while dismissing reports that bin Laden was in Pakistan.

The prime minister also denied reports of differences between him and President Asif Ali Zardari.

Democracy is essential for Pakistan and if not allowed to flourish, it would be detrimental for the country, he said on board his special aircraft.

The government is making efforts to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions, Gilani said.

All other pillars of society, including the media, judiciary and the army, are strong and it is the need of the hour to strengthen democracy to attain goals of development and progress and bail Pakistan out of an economic crisis, he said.

Replying to a question, Gilani said the nation would hear good news regarding the resolution of the insurgency in Balochistan, which would open vistas of progress for the country.

The resolution of the Balochistan issue is a top priority of the government and no economic progress is possible without resolving this issue, he said.

"It is a sensitive issue and the government realises the sensitivity and gravity of the situation, and efforts are being made to resolve this issue as soon as possible," he said.

The Pakistan People's Party-led government recently unveiled a package of administrative, political and economic reforms to tackle the insurgency in Balochistan.

While in Germany, Gilani is scheduled to meet the president, chancellor, foreign minister, president of Parliament and minister of economy of that country.