ISLAMABAD — Japan’s foreign minister offered assistance yesterday to Pakistan’s newly elected government in its fight against terrorism, the Pakistani prime minister’s office said.
Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, who is on a two-day visit to Pakistan, made the offer during talks with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in the capital Islamabad, a statement from Gilani’s office said.
Pakistan is a key ally of Washington in the war on terror and has deployed thousands of troops in tribal regions near Afghanistan, where US-led coalition forces are fighting Taleban and Al-Qaeda fighters.
The South Asian nation recently initiated peace talks with militants in the country’s tribal areas and planned to launch development projects in hopes of curbing the activities of militants on its side of the border.
Japan, another key US ally, has refueled ships since 2001 in support of US-led forces in Afghanistan. However, its main support has been in the form of financial assistance to the Afghan government.
Gilani told Komura that the world community “has to do more” to support Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism.
He said Pakistan would confront the issue of terrorism that stems from socioeconomic disparity and un-resolved political disputes.
Gilani said Pakistan’s policy includes political dialogue, socioeconomic development and strengthening security measures. The prime minister said the government would hold talks with only those elements that believe in peace, lay down their arms and express abhorrence to terrorism.
Gilani said Pakistan and Japan shared similar views on global peace and stability and stressed the need for working together to promote sustainable peace in the region.
Komura “appreciated” Pakistan’s resolve and assured it of support for development programs in its least developed areas, which include the militancy plagued northwest, the statement said.
It provided no details, but Komura later signed an agreement to extend soft loans worth $478 million to Pakistan for power, irrigation and road projects.
Komura later met with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who told reporters that Pakistan was engaging “peace-loving tribal people” and that it would not compromise with terrorism.
