ISLAMABAD : Pakistan and the United States on Monday agreed to further enhance their bilateral cooperation in the fields of defence and security matters, especially in intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism efforts. This was decided in a meeting when US Under Secretary of Defence, Eric S. Edelman called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani here at the PM Secretariat this afternoon.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan values its strategic close, cooperative, and longstanding relationship with the US based on trust.
He said that Pakistan is serious in its commitment to fight terrorism as this scourge is directly and adversely affecting the security of our people and the performance of our economy.
Pakistan is combating terrorism in its own interest and not for the sake of any other country, he said and added there is no question of negotiating with the militants.
“We however feel that there is also need to address the root causes of terrorism and towards this end we have adopted a three-pronged strategy comprising political dialogue, economic development and continued campaign against terrorism”, he added.
The Prime Minister, however, mentioned that the government will negotiate only with those elements who have laid down arms and joined the mainstream political activity.
“We have neither withdrawn our forces from the bordering areas with Afghanistan nor have any intention to do so”, he added.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for early passage of legislation pertaining to the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in order to improve the socio-economic condition in the tribal areas.
He said a strong and stable Afghanistan is also in Pakistan’s own interest. “We are ready to take all necessary measures to prevent illegal cross-border movement including the installation of the bio-metric system to prevent it. We are anxiously awaiting Afghanistan’s response to our proposals”, he added.
The Prime Minister said that early repatriation of over three million Afghan refugees in an honourable and dignified manner will also help prevent illegal crossings besides relieving Pakistan of the mounting cost and the expenditure being incurred on the upkeep of the Afghan refugees.
He said that the electoral victory of the moderate and progressive political forces all over Pakistan including in the FATA augurs well for our campaign against terrorism and extremism.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan is in the process of consolidating the country’s transition to democracy within the ambit of the constitution.
He said, “we are keen to restore the 1973 Constitution which envisaged a parliamentary form of government”. The current constitutional dispensation is a hotch-potch of parliamentary and presidential system, he added.
Edelman applauded the return of democracy in Pakistan and said the US is keen to forge an enduring strategic partnership with Pakistan to the mutual benefit of our two countries.
He said that the use of force is not enough to combat terrorism. His country was keen that all security agreements should have a mechanism to enforce them, he said.
Minister for Defence, Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar, Advisor on National Security, Mahmud Ali Durrani, Secretary Defence and senior officials also attended the meeting. US Ambassador to Pakistan, Ms. Anne W. Patterson was also present during the meeting.
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