News
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Pakistan calls for joint monitoring of Afghan border
* PM tells NATO chief Pak economic growth is pre-requisite to fighting terrorism
* Zardari hails NATO’s support for PakistanStaff Report
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday emphasised the need for joint monitoring of the Pak-Afghan border and increased sharing of information between Pakistan and NATO-ISAF forces on cross-border movement of terrorists.
The PM expressed these views with Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the NATO secretary general, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.
Gilani told the visiting dignitary that Pakistan’s economic development and was is a pre-requisite to successfully confronting the threat of terrorism, adding that its allies must help the country in this regard through greater market access. He welcomed the proposal for signing a framework agreement between Pakistan and NATO through a joint political declaration and hoped both the sides would exchange drafts of the proposed declaration in the near future for signing it as soon as possible.
Dilating on NATO and ISAF forces’ role in Afghanistan, the PM stressed that the international community must stay engaged and facilitate efforts of the Afghan government to rebuild its state institutions and related capacity. He reiterated Pakistan’s offer to train the Afghan National Army, national police and civil bureaucracy.
He also appreciated NATO’s training facilities for Pakistan’s military and civilian personnel and hoped this cooperation would be further expanded to strengthen Pakistan’s counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency capabilities. Gilani drew the attention of the NATO secretary general to the need of refurbishment of the road infrastructure for facilitating smooth supply to ISAF forces through Pakistan, while seeking NATO’s assistance in improving the related road network in the country. “The international community should assist Pakistan in rehabilitation and reconstruction of the people displaced from the war-effected areas, which have now been cleared of terrorists,” he added.
Meanwhile, Anders Rasmussen also met President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency. During the meeting, Zardari welcomed NATO’s intention to establish a trust fund to support training activities for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgencies. He hoped that NATO would provide equipment for capacity building of the country’s counter-terrorism units under the proposed fund. The president said Pakistan has legitimate interests in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan. “Strong and stable Afghanistan will help in putting a permanent end to the sources of funding and weapons to terrorists,” he added. The president said the Pakistan government understood the potential of destabilisation of the world by extremist forces and took on the challenge to exterminate the menace.
“We have proved to the world that we have the determination and the capability to effectively take on the challenge, but we need resources and capacity-building with necessary tools and equipment,” he added. Zardari also appreciated NATO’s assistance for securing preferential market access for Pakistan and said development and creation of opportunities was the only way to rid the areas worst hit by terrorism.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk