ISLAMABAD, MAY 24, SPA -- Pakistan s Ambassador to the United States Mahmud Ali Durrani has said Pakistan is a steadfast ally in the fight against terrorism. Pakistan multi-pronged approach to addressing the issue of extremism in the tribal region in the long-term perspective is working, he said in a discussion with USA Today's editorial board, according to a message received in Islamabad that was released by the government. The envoy firmly rejected suggestions about existence of any al-Qaeda camps on the Pakistani soil and cited Pakistan s consistent actions against terrorists. I dispute this. There are no existing camps that we know of. It is incorrect (to suggest) that there are camps and nothing is being done. If there is a camp and we know of it definitely, we go and eliminate it. They should look at Afghanistan, a country 20 times larger than our border areas. Thousands of miles in Afghanistan are open to al-Qaeda and the Taliban, the ambassador said. On Pakistan's efforts to address the problem of extremism in the tribal regions, bordering Afghanistan, Durrani referred to the holistic strategy the government is pursuing. We want to win over the people, win their hearts and minds, then work with them. We are trying to improve the quality of life of the tribal areas. We are trying to develop the area, and your government is supporting us," he said in reference to recent US announcement of about dollars 750 million over a period of five years for development of federally administered tribal areas and its efforts towards setting up economic opportunity zones in the areas. The ambassador said the bottom line is that force alone is not going to resolve this issue. It's going to be multiple strengths and that's what we're doing, and it's working, he added. He said nobody knows exact whereabouts of top al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders and called for better intelligence to find out terror operatives. We need to improve our human intelligence there. We have a fair amount of electronic intelligence. Then we need improvement in coordination and quick-reaction forces," he replied when asked as to what Pakistan and the United States should do to hunt the operatives. Commenting on the state of democracy in Pakistan, the envoy said democratic institutions have improved and stressed that the media enjoys unparalleled freedom. President Musharraf has developed a system of devolution of powers. People have been empowered to make their own decisions, including financial. Despite all the criticism, the press is more free than ever. There is a robust opposition in the Parliament. "Our democracy has never been better. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/452656