President, PM urge US to adopt policy of do more to counter challenges arising out of terrorism.

ISLAMABAD, December 16, 2009 (Balochistan Times): US chairman of Joint Chiefs of staff committee Admiral Mike Mullen has held separate meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari in Aiwan-e-Sadr and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani and exchanged views at length on a set of issues including cooperation in war on terror, matters of mutual interests, new US policy for Afghanistan, deployment of 30000 additional US troops in Afghanistan, ongoing operation against the terrorists in tribal areas and regional situation. During the meeting both the President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani stressed that Pakistani interests be ensured in new Afghan policy. We will not allow our national integrity, defence and dignity to be put at stake and nor we will compromise on them, they held. Sources told President and Prime Minister were of the view US and international community should expand cooperation with Pakistan rather than asking for do more and US itself should adopt the policy of do more to counter the challenges arising out of terrorism as Pakistans infrastructure had been destroyed and we have fallen victim to terrorism. President and PM urged Admiral Mullen, that US should bolster its strategic cooperation with Pakistan. The pledges made by US for providing modern technology, equipment and training to Pakistan army be delivered. Drone attacks be stopped and drone technology be provided to Pakistan, they added. Pakistan security forces were fully capable to fight against non-state actors and extremists, they held. On his part, the PM also stressed that pledges made during the FODP (Friends of Democratic Pakistan) meeting should be fulfilled without any delay to enable Pakistan fight the militancy effectively., stressing that Pakistan expected US for timely reimbursement of its claims on account of coalition support funds. Admiral Mike Mullen appreciated steps taken by the government of Pakistan and sacrifices rendered by Pakistani nation and army in war on terror saying, we are aware of interests of Pakistan. New Afghan policy is for the sake of peace in the region and we will take along Pakistan in connection with implementation of Afghan policy. No success can be achieved in Afghanistan without the help of Pakistan, he added. Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani assisted the Prime Minister. American Ambassador in Pakistan Ms. Anne W. Paterson was also present during the meeting.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)