Pak-Afghanistan facing common enemy: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan and Afghanistan are facing common enemies and threats in shape of terrorism and extremism but at the same underscored the need of joint efforts to overcome challenges.

Taliban after hijacking into hands of Al-Qaida are promoting terrorism and extremism in the region but Pakistan and Afghanistan would dismantle their nefarious design, besides continue to work for regional peace, development and stability, the foreign minister added.

Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day Pak-Afghan mini Jirga here in local hotel, the foreign minister stated that people have joint hands with Pak army, so the military is mobilize to tackle the tense situation in tribal areas. The goal of mini Jirga are too vast, he said.

Common efforts are needed to curb terrorism, he said, adding that, peace and stability in Afghanistan is in supreme interest of Pakistan. After the arrival of US forces, the situation has changed rapidly in the region, Qureshi remarked.

He asked Afghanistan to step-up its efforts for eradication of narcotic smuggling, promotion of trade, laying down Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India gas pipeline. The nation has unanimously declared its resolve to root out terrorism, he said.

Expressing firm resolve, Qureshi said, Pakistan is more committed to root out militancy from the region. Pakistan would defend its sovereignty and independence at any cost and would not allow anyone to use its soil against any other country, he added.

Our government gives priority to dialogues with militant who renounce violence and lay down their arms while the Jirga has also a clear mandate, as the use of force cannot yield desire results, he said, added, the errors of past must be corrected in this regard.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi expressed hope that the mini Jirga can peacefully resolve issues including tension at Pak-Afghan border.

Pakistan itself is a target of terrorism and has given huge sacrifices, he said. Qureshi said that the great leader like Benazir Bhutto was also a victim of terrorism.

The resolution adopted by Parliament calling for an urgent review of the country’s anti-terror policy, including more talks with militants and a vow to defend country’s territorial sovereignty was historic decision of incumbent government, he observed.

The Foreign Minister also assured mini Jirga members that Pakistan would take every step for promotion of trade and relations in every field with Afghanistan, besides respectable repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Former Afghan Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah Abdulllah said, the gathering of top government officials, political parties and group from Pakistan and Afghanistan in Islamabad followed by grand Jirga attended by more than 700 people in Kabul last year speaks firm resolve of both countries to root out terrorism and extremism.

Out top priority is to protect people, he said, adding that, both countries have abilities to counter terrorism and extremism. Afghanistan, he said, is ready to work with Pakistan to face challenges.

The Former Afghan Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah Abdullah went on to say that terrorism and extremism has ruined Afghanistan. The strike of US forces in Afghanistan was the major cause behind unemployment, starvation, social instability and poverty, he said.

There is dire need to highlight true image of Islam at international level, Abdullah Abdullah said. He said Afghanistan can enter in dialogue with those who wants peace and development in the country. He hoped that Jirga members from both sides of Pakistan and Afghanistan during two day gathering would agree on concert steps to counter challenges.

Addressing the Jirga, Governor NWFP Owais Ahmed Ghani hoped that Jirga would play key role for elimination of terrorism, promotion of stability and peace in the region. Senator Dr. Babar Awan, Interior Minister Sindh Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza, Deputy Chairman Afghan Jirga Monitoring Commission Farooq Wardik, Head Afghanistan border Affairs in Pakistan Majnu Gulab, Head Awami National Party and other were present on the occasion.

The Pak-Afghan mini Jirga would discuss matters related to joint security, development in tribal areas and Afghanistan, redress grievances of local people and to avoid misunderstanding along side the border region.

On the other hand, strict security arrangements have been taken by law enforcement agencies around red zone while additional contingent of Police and rangers have also been deployed in Islamabad.