ID :
12510
Mon, 07/14/2008 - 19:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/12510
The shortlink copeid
Avoid talk of 'hot pursuit' of militants in Pak:Zardari to US
Islamabad, Jul 14 (PTI) PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has asked the US to avoid talk of "hot pursuit" of militants into Pakistan's tribal areas and give the government in Islamabad time to enact its own policies without unduepressure.
Pakistan is in favour of the war on terror but it is unjustified for the US to expect miracles from afour-month-old government, he said.
Zardari also condemned the infiltration into Pakistaniterritory by the US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan.
The Pakistan People's Party chief's comments came in the backdrop of reports that the US is considering the option of unilateral military action in Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal areas, which have been described by American and Afghanofficials as a safe haven for Taliban and al-Qaeda elements.
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, asked top Pakistani military officials to "act decisively" against Taliban and al-Qaeda militants in the tribal areas during an unscheduled visit to Islamabad onSaturday.
While speaking to Business Plus TV channel, Zardari said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani would take up the issue of infiltration into Pakistani territory by the US-led coalition forces with President George W. Bush during their upcomingmeeting later this month.
Zardari pointed out that Pakistan was against extremism and terrorism as it had lost one of its greatest leaders,former PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, to the twin menaces.
Zardari said the war against terrorism was being fought in Pakistan's best interests. However, the country needs to pursue a dialogue in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, in addition to employing force, because it was "facing its owncountrymen", he said.
He said the PPP-led government preferred to resolve law and order problems by taking all parties on board rather than by using force. Pakistan was still paying the price forpolicies followed by its former leaders, he added.
On the domestic front, Zardari reiterated the PPP's stance that the issue of the deposed judges would be resolved through a constitutional reforms package. The PPP wants all constitutional issues to be resolved in a proper manner and constitutional reforms package would serve this purpose, hesaid.
Zardari also dismissed media reports that he would meet PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, a key partner of the PPP-ledcoalition, in London.
Pakistan is in favour of the war on terror but it is unjustified for the US to expect miracles from afour-month-old government, he said.
Zardari also condemned the infiltration into Pakistaniterritory by the US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan.
The Pakistan People's Party chief's comments came in the backdrop of reports that the US is considering the option of unilateral military action in Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal areas, which have been described by American and Afghanofficials as a safe haven for Taliban and al-Qaeda elements.
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, asked top Pakistani military officials to "act decisively" against Taliban and al-Qaeda militants in the tribal areas during an unscheduled visit to Islamabad onSaturday.
While speaking to Business Plus TV channel, Zardari said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani would take up the issue of infiltration into Pakistani territory by the US-led coalition forces with President George W. Bush during their upcomingmeeting later this month.
Zardari pointed out that Pakistan was against extremism and terrorism as it had lost one of its greatest leaders,former PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, to the twin menaces.
Zardari said the war against terrorism was being fought in Pakistan's best interests. However, the country needs to pursue a dialogue in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, in addition to employing force, because it was "facing its owncountrymen", he said.
He said the PPP-led government preferred to resolve law and order problems by taking all parties on board rather than by using force. Pakistan was still paying the price forpolicies followed by its former leaders, he added.
On the domestic front, Zardari reiterated the PPP's stance that the issue of the deposed judges would be resolved through a constitutional reforms package. The PPP wants all constitutional issues to be resolved in a proper manner and constitutional reforms package would serve this purpose, hesaid.
Zardari also dismissed media reports that he would meet PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, a key partner of the PPP-ledcoalition, in London.
