Pakistan's military is fighting "for the survival of the country" against Taleban militants in the Swat valley, the prime minister says, BBC reported.
Yusuf Raza Gilani was speaking as the army tried to retake Swat's main town, Mingora, where a curfew is in force.
The government signed a peace agreement with the Swat Taleban in February, allowing Sharia law there, which was heavily criticised by Washington.
The militants then moved towards the capital, Islamabad.