PAKISTAN LIKELY TO ACHIEVE OBJECTIVES IN S.WAZIRISTAN EARLIER THAN

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- Pakistan is likely to achieve the
objectives set for the military operation launched in South Waziristan to clear
out criminals, extremists and terrorists from the areas, earlier than
anticipated, its Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi said.

He said that the army operation launched in South Waziristan, which borders
Afghanistan, is moving ahead with the desired pace and that many key towns and
areas have been cleared of miscreants, terrorists and extremists.

According to a statement from the Pakistan High Commission here, Qureshi said
this to international news agencies upon arrival here Sunday to attend the Group
of Eight Developing Islamic Countries (D-8) ministerial meeting Monday.

The foreign minister said that that the Pakistani Armed Forces are
performing exceptionally well and may achieve the objective set for the
operation before winter sets in.

Reports said that since Oct 17 some 30,000 Pakistani troops have been waging
a major assault against Taliban fighters hiding out in the formidable terrain of
South Waziristan.

In response to a question, Qureshi said that, however, it would be difficult
to give the exact time frame for completing the military operation.

To another question, he said that the democratically elected government of
Pakistan has been successful in achieving national consensus to launch this
operation and having public opinion on its side, the government is confident in
achieving the desired results.

He said that the democratically elected government of Pakistan is following
a three- prong policy in the areas which include the 3-Ds namely Dialogue,
Development and Deterrence.

The foreign minister pointed out that the right combination of these three
elements would ensure success of the operation and pave the way to bring about
permanent peace in the region.

To a question pertaining to the recent visit of US Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton to Pakistan, he said that the purpose of the visit was to get
Pakistan's input for the US policy on Afghanistan which is being reviewed by
the American government to make it more effective and result oriented.

He said that valuable input given to the Secretary of State by various forum
in Pakistan, had provided her with Pakistan's perceptions and understanding of
the issue which would certainly help the US government to see the issue in its
proper perspective to make US-Afghan policy more relevant and result oriented.
-- BERNAMA