Islamabad , Pakistan ( CNN ) -- Pakistan 's Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani made a U-turn Saturday -- first declaring that the military offensive against Islamic militants in South Waziristan had ended , then saying there is no timeframe for its completion . The Pakistani army is conducting an intense operation to rout militants from their haven along the country 's border with Afghanistan . The militants , in turn , have launched a series of deadly attacks in retaliation . Answering a question from a reporter who asked whether the government will engage in dialogue with the Taliban in South Waziristan , Gilani said the operation was over . `` There was talk of dialogue even during the Malakand Operation . But now , the operation in South Waziristan is over . In fact , at the moment , there is talk of an operation in Orakzai Agency , '' he said . Malakand is another operation that the military is conducting in another region . Orakzai is one of seven districts that make up the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan . Like South Waziristan , it is also considered rife with militants . Gilani 's comments , made in the eastern city of Lahore , were aired on national television . But hours later , he backtracked . `` It could have been in a different context , '' he told reporters in Karachi . These remarks were also aired on television . Gilani also declined to say when the offensive might end . `` We will take military action wherever we get information about the presence of militants , '' he said . When reached for clarification , the prime minister 's office pointed CNN to the second statement . The army did not comment on Gilani 's remarks . A release it sends out daily made no mention of an end to the offensive on Saturday . Instead , Saturday 's release provided the usual breakdown of operations in various parts of the country , including South Waziristan . CNN 's Samson Desta and journalist Nasir Habib contributed to this report .
Pakistan 's Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani tells reporter operation against Taliban is over . Hours later he backtracks on national television and declines to say when operation may end . Pakistani army conducting an intense operation to rout militants along Afghan border .