By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said Pakistan wants to have cordial and friendly ties with all its neighbours.
“ It neither harbours any aggressive designs against India nor would allow any individual or entity on its territory to harm the bilateral ties between the two countries through their activities,” he added.
He said Pakistan remains committed to the composite dialogue and wishes to resolve all outstanding issues with India amicably.
He expressed these views while talking to the visiting Senator John F. Kerry, the next chairman of US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who called on him here at the PM House this afternoon.
Gilani briefed the Senator on Pakistan’s sincere initiatives to help investigate the Mumbai incident and normalize the situation with India, the actions taken to comply with its international obligations under UNSC resolution, the human and economic sacrifices made in facing the challenges of extremism and terrorism and efforts undertaken by his government to improve relations with Afghanistan and help the Afghan government.
He underlined that frequent drone’ attacks on Pakistan territory were rendering futile his government’s efforts to wean away the peaceful segment of tribal populace from the militants.
He called upon the US leadership to revisit its policy and stop violations of Pakistan territory in the common interest of defeating the terrorist elements in the region.
Kerry in his response agreed with the Prime Minister that continuing drone attacks causing large scale collateral damage were counter productive in the US war against terrorism and promised that he on his return would seek review of this policy.
While apprising the Indian Prime Minister’s misgivings about the actions being taken by Pakistan against the individuals and entities listed by the UN sanctions committee, he urged that both sides needed to change their mind-set and sit together to cooperate with each other in the ongoing investigations.
The Indian side should share whatever evidence it has gathered with Pakistan and Pakistan side should endeavour for bridging the trust deficit with India.
The Senator appreciating the candidness of the Prime Minister stated that he was taking a very clear and important message from him to his government and will do whatever he can to help Pakistan.
He assured Gilani that he would work for the early passage of Biden-Lugar Bill by the US Congress and take up the issue of Pakistan’s genuine economic and defense requirements at the Capitol Hill and with the new US administration.
Kerry also acknowledged that lack of capacity of Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies and delay in mid-life up-gradation of its F-16s were impeding its capacity in confronting the menace of terrorism and needs to be remedied by the US side.
He said that he considered a vibrant, strong and economically viable Pakistan vital for peace and stability of South Asia.
US Ambassador in Pakistan, Ms. Anne W Patterson was also present in the meeting.