News
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Foreign troops not allowed to operate in Pakistan: FM
* Qureshi tells Senate AQ Khan chapter closed
* Govt to approach UN for probe into Benazir’s death * Defends relations with USBy Sajjad Malik
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will not allow military activity by foreign troops inside its territory and any military action required inside Pakistan would be undertaken solely by Pakistani troops, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Friday. “Neither can we allow foreign troops to operate in Pakistan nor can it be productive,” the Foreign minister said while concluding the two-day foreign policy debate in the Senate. Qureshi said Pakistan would preserve its ability to deter any sort of aggression and strive to secure economic stability. He said Pakistan wanted peace and stability in the region. AQ Khan: Quershi also said the Dr AQ Khan chapter was closed and Pakistan had extended maximum co-operation to the international community on the issue. “We took the necessary action and the international community is satisfied and appreciated it,” he said. Qureshi said Pakistan’s strategic assets were safe and the government had introduced strong institutional measures to defend and protect nuclear assets. Benazir’s assassination: He rejected the impression that a UN probe into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto could jeopardise Pakistan’s nuclear interests and reiterated that the government would approach the UN to request a probe into Benazir’s death. Qureshi also said he hoped that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in its London meeting on May 12 would restore Pakistan’s membership. He reiterated that the government would follow a multi-pronged strategy in dealing with terrorism. Relations with US: The Foreign minister defended Pakistan’s close relations with the United States and said they were essential to the economic progress of Pakistan. “Criticism of US policies is the right of everyone, but we should also recognise the ground realities, which show that only last year the US provided aid worth $900 million and Pak-US annual trade was worth $600 million,” he said. He also said Pakistan would continue the peace process with India, and that Pakistan supported the liberalisation of the visa system with India. Qureshi said the Kashmir issue should be resolved according to UN resolutions and aspirations of the people of Kashmir and vowed to take up outstanding issues with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee in meeting on May 21 in Islamabad. Concerning Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, the minister said both countries should interact closely to solve issues. He announced he would make his first foreign visit as minister to Kabul soon. Qureshi opposed aggression against Iran and supported Tehran’s right to have access to peaceful use of nuclear energy. He also hoped that as a responsible state Iran would fulfil its obligation under the non-proliferation regime. He announced the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project would be completed despite opposition from certain countries. The minister highlighted Pakistan’s burgeoning ties with China. “We are putting in order the comprehensive framework for future co-operation to fully utilise the potential of our relations,” he said. Responding to calls for broadening foreign policy formulation, the minister announced the establishment of two task forces to improve foreign policy and adopt economic diplomacy as a tool to improve economic conditions in Pakistan.
Courtesy Daily Times