By IRNA,
Islamabad : US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher on Wednesday welcomed operation in the Pakistani tribal region and said groups based in that areas were presenting a threat to Peshawar.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, the US assistant secretary of state said that paramilitary force has moved in Khyber agency to ward off threat to the city.
Responding to a question about NATO strike inside Pakistan, he said the United States is aware of sensitivities of Pakistan and a joint investigation has been launched into the incident.
About role of President Musharraf, Mr. Boucher said he is President of Pakistan and the United States deals with him in that capacity. He said Pakistan has more crucial issues like extremism and terrorism, food crisis and energy deficiency to address.
Mr. Boucher said there was need for effective coordination to avoid such incidents. He said there was no doubt about the fact that the threat of terrorism has to be eliminated and the best strategy for that would be for Pakistan to carry out operation on its side and Afghanistan on its side of the border.
He said the United States would continue providing training facilities and equipment to help Pakistan thwart the danger of terrorism and extremism.
To another question he said the United States supports Pakistani Government’s efforts to reach out tribes in its efforts to establish peace in Tribal Areas.
He said apart from use of force, there is need for expediting economic activities, building of schools and health facilities and create job opportunities.
“The United States has assured of its continued cooperation to build a modern, stable, democratic and economically prosperous Pakistan”.
He said it was in this context that his country supported Pakistan’s transition to democracy.
He said Pakistan was facing serious challenges in the realm of security, food and energy and the United States would continue extending cooperation in confronting these problems.
The US assistant secretary of state called for institution building and said the United States supports Pakistan’s efforts for strengthening of democracy and independence of the judiciary.