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Pakistan must part of negotiation process: PM
ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Friday said Pakistan must be involved in the “negotiation process” as it is part of the solution to the Afghan problem.Talking to office bearers of Diplomatic Correspondent Association of Pakistan (DCAP) here at Prime Minister House, he said, “Without involving Pakistan, any negotiation process cannot be succeeded.”The Prime Minister said Pakistan has taken initiative on the Afghanistan issue and making sincere efforts to ensure peace and security in the region.Gilani said, “Pakistan is part of the solution to Afghan issue and not the problem.”
About Pakistan’s role in reconciliation process in Afghanistan, he pointed out that during last visit of President Hamid Karzai to Islamabad it was agreed that Afghanistan would share the plan with Pakistan.
He said so far this plan has not been shared with Pakistan and once information is provided a decision would be taken as to how Pakistan can cooperate.
He said Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan have been improved and these are far better today as in the past.
The Prime Minister said both Pakistan and Afghanistan have intelligence and defence cooperation and that was even more better in the present days.
Replying to a question about the recent efforts of Afghanistan government to start negotiation process with the Taliban, the Prime Minister said although Pakistan wanted that any such process should be led by Afghanistan but Pakistan should be involved in it.
He said the Afghan leadership has to yet discuss its new initiative of dialogue process with United States and expressed the hope that it would also discuss it with Pakistan for taking full support before implementing on it.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan has high stakes in Afghanistan’s stability, unity, territorial integrity and prosperity.
He said, “We support efforts for promoting an Afghan-led and Afghan-driven reconciliation process. Without peace in Afghanistan, there can be no peace in our region.”
The Prime Minister said, “We have signed on to a joint vision for our two countries and the region, one that places primacy on economic development.”
He said, “The AF-PAK concept is inherently flawed. We have strongly rejected such concept.”
Replying to a question, the Prime Minister said the previous Government allowed the use of drones for surveillance only and not for attacks. He also contradicted reports that Pakistan has provided any base to the United States to operate these drones.
Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said the United States has been told in categorical terms that drone attacks were counter-productive.
He said, “Pakistan is also trying to convince the United States either to provide drone technology or share actionable intelligence so that Pakistan’s own forces could take action inside our territory.”
The Prime Minister said Pakistan is pursuing strategic dialogue with the United States on the basis of mutual respect and its national interests.
He said the United States recognizes the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan during war on terror and this was reiterated during meeting of President Obama with Pakistani delegation at the Strategic Dialogue in Washington.
Gilani said Pakistan is demanding of the United States to enter into civil nuclear technology cooperation on the pattern of India.
Courtesy www.app.com.pk