News
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Pakistan warns against ‘great game’ in region
* Gilani says no formula from abroad can resolve the Afghan issue
* Islamabad will continue to pursue policy of non-intervention in Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan clearly stated that it hopes “there will be no new great game” pertaining to Afghanistan and stated that it does not expect any country to indulge in any proxy war or measures that have an impact on sovereignty of Pakistan or Afghanistan, said an official source on Wednesday.
“No formula from abroad can resolve the Afghan issue,” the source, privy to the meeting between Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and US Vice President Joe Biden, quoted the prime minister as saying. The PM reiterated that Pakistan wanted Afghans to be masters of their destiny. He said Pakistan was willing to facilitate the process of peace in Afghanistan.
Gilani informed Biden about his recent meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and said Pakistan would continue to pursue its policy of non-intervention and of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan while also ensuring that the unity of its neighbour was not compromised.
According to the source, Pakistan also rejected the US assertion that certain elements were operating from areas along the Pak-Afghan border and stated that in fact the opposite was true as weapons and financial support were coming into the country adversely impacting the security situation. Pakistan also urged the US to look for a pragmatic solution instead of trading charges.
PM Gilani said that Pakistan and the US had been on the same side during all defining periods of history. He said Pakistan looked forward with confidence to a robust, enduring and mutually beneficial partnership with the United States. Gilani, in his opening statement, termed his meeting with the US vice president as “very fruitful” that focused on counter-terrorism, regional security and peace. He said Pakistan looked forward to a “robust relationship” with the US in terms of economic and security areas. He mentioned that the discussions on Afghanistan’s security and stability were “extremely useful”. The source added that Pakistan also desired that the Afghan refugees would return home in a dignified manner and that there was peace and tranquility along the borders. Pakistan said it was willing for the capacity building of the Afghan police and security forces for better counter-terrorism duties. Gilani also said Pakistan desired normal state-to-state relations and urged that stability and societal equilibrium be restored.
According to the official, both sides also discussed whether the Taliban be given a future role if they disassociate themselves from al Qaeda and will they be acceptable.
It was agreed that strategic alignment was needed between Islamabad, Kabul and Washington to reach a pragmatic solution as the first deadline of transition to Afghan-led security in July 2011 approaches. Vice President Biden also sought Pakistan’s views on the US-Afghanistan ties. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk