Pakistan PM Calls For Taking Pak-US Relations Beyond Terrorism
By KUNA
Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Tuesday stressed that relations between the United States and Pakistan should go beyond terrorism and cover areas of bilateral relations on durable basis for the benefit of two peoples.
Pakistan has suffered in the fight against terrorism and rendered more sacrifices in terms of civilians and troops’ fatalities than the coalition partners put together, said the Prime Minister while talking Senator Carl Levin, Chairman of Armed Services Committee here.
The success of military operation in northern Malakand Division, he said, stands out because the nation not only defeated the terrorists but also managed the return of more than two million IDPs (internally displaced persons) within two months to their homes with honour and dignity.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan desires a sovereign, independent, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan and supported an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of reconciliation in that country.
Pakistan was part of the solution and not part of the problem and favoured three Ds – Dialogue, Development and Deterrence, as the best strategy to seek out a solution of the Afghan imbroglio, he added.
Premier Gilani appreciated the role of US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton who took a stand and supported Pakistan’s case for assistance at the time when the voices of imposing restrictions were being raised in Washington.
The US Senator underlined the importance of bringing US-Pakistan relations on an even keel because both the countries were fighting the common enemy who is “using violence as IEDs”
