By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday called upon the world at large and the United States in particular, to play their role towards resolution of core issue of Kashmir as well as the water issue between Pakistan and India.
Talking to General James Jones, US National Security Advisor, the Prime Minister said resolution of Pakistan’s core issues would help it focus on war against extremism and terrorism on its western border to ensure peace and stability in South Asia.
Underlining Pakistan’s strong anti-terrorist action, the Prime Minister expressed his disappointment over the world’s response to help Pakistan win against evil forces and provide relief to the dislocated people, had not been adequate.
He urged the United States to write off Pakistan’s debt to help in overcoming its immediate economic difficulties and make up for the economic losses it suffered as a frontline state in fight against terrorism.
The Prime Minister noted that while Pakistan’s law enforcement and anti-terror campaign in Malakand Division was now nearing a successful conclusion, the promises of capacity building of its Law enforcement agencies still remained unfulfilled.
He emphasized that once military action was over, these agencies would take over. It requires new recruitments, proper training and adequate equipment and should be provided a social safety net to cater for their families in case of casualties.
Gilani said the dignified and honourable return of dislocated persons to their homes must be facilitated for winning the hearts and minds of people, for which the international community had to fulfill its responsibility.
The Prime Minister also expressed his concern that there would be an influx of refugees from Afghanistan, in the aftermath of new deployment of US and NATO forces there. He also called for stopping the drone attacks in order to ensure success of Pakistan’s strategy for isolating the militants from the tribes.
The US National Security Advisor expressed his full agreement with the views of the Prime Minister and assured him that the US government would do every thing it could to help Pakistan.
He reaffirmed President Obama’s keen desire to have a long term multifaceted and strategic cooperation with Pakistan under a new comprehensive regional strategy.
He lauded Pakistan Army’s successful operation against terrorists and praised Prime Minister for his statesmanship in consensus building and taking the whole nation along on this issue.
General James Jones further stated that the US government would help in every possible way for the resumption of dialogue between Pakistan and India and for resolution of the core issues like Kashmir dispute and water distribution between the two countries.
Federal Minister for Defense Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik, Senator Sughra Imam and the US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson were present during the meeting.