Pakistanis voted for democracy and not talibanisation: Miliband

Associated Press Service

LONDON: -British Foreign Secretary David Miliband lauding the political maturity of the people of Pakistan said they have voted for democracy and not talibanisation adding that he was impressed by the coalition government’s committment on war against terrorism.
Addressing a press conference at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Monday following his return from the recent trip to Pakistan, Kuwait,Saudi Arabia and Iraq, the Foreign Secretary said during his stay in Pakistan and his inter-action with the officials, he never came across any impression that the newly formed coalition government was crumbling.
Rather, he continued , he found a strong determination of the Government to tackle various issues facing them including terrorism through a multi-prong strategy based on political, economy and security reforms.
Responding to a question, Miliband said there was a need to marginalise the terrorists and Pakistan Government has announced its intention to deal with the issue keeping in mind its own national interests. He expressed hope that the decision to open negotiations with the local talibans would yield such results which would also lead to calming effect across the border.
The Foreign Secretary said reconciliation with the Talibans has to be looked in two different ways and whether this move would provide a platform for a lasting peace or lead to increase acts of violence. But he added, he was clear in his mind that whatever the steps Pakistan has taken was for the good of the country.
He said he would not necessarily ascribe to the White House view on the peace deal in the North West Frontier Province and would wait for the ultimate result and see how the things work out. Nevertheless, he noted that Jirga meetings have started and both sides have met to thrash out details that be beneficial to all without compromising efforts to combat terrorism and militancy.
The Foreign Secretary spoke of his meeting in Peshawar with children who were victims of the acts of terrorism and said both United Kingdom and Pakistan have shared interests in fighting war on terrorism.He said Britain was fully supportive of consolidating democratic institutions in Pakistan rather than strengthening individuals.
Miliband underscored the importance of regional stability and said both UK and Pakistan were working together to realise that goal. “Terrorism is a problem in Pakistan and its government was making determined efforts to root this menace through a series of measures based on economic and social development.”
He also pointed that out Pakistani Diaspora in UK has an important role in the development of their country of origin.Miliband said during his talks with PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Zardari and PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, he found them determined to carry the country forward through their mutual policies.
The Foreign Secretary was hopeful that the issues relating to Judiciary would be settled within the given deadline of 30 days.On Afghanistan, he said its future with Pakistan was inter-dependent and both countries were co-operating with each other on terrorism issues.
He said the British Government has strongly condemned the assassination attempt on President Hamid Karzai during a military parade in Kabul on Sunday.