ISLAMABAD: Britain yesterday praised Pakistan’s increased dialogue with Afghanistan and India, saying the new “zeal” in its foreign policy was vital as the region struggles with Islamist terrorism.
Miliband said Pakistan is emerging as “cooperative force” in South Asia through its efforts to improve relations with neighbors. “The foreign policy dialogue that is being pursued with Afghanistan, with India” is turning Pakistan outwards and making clear that the country is emerging as a cooperative force for stability in the region,” Miliband said after meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Manhood Qureshi. Visiting British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the “reforming zeal and instinct of the government is coming to the fore in a positive way and gaining the confidence of the international community.”
He said it was “very important in turning Pakistan outward and making clear that it sees itself as a cooperative force for stability in the region.”
In another development, a day after Pakistan’s Air Force (PAF) chief expressed the determination of PAF’s capability to stop intruding drones and their attacks inside Pakistan, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani spoke his mind saying, “there are a number of options available to us to counter attacks from US drones.”
His statement was in fact meant to dispel the impression that democratically elected government was doing nothing against growing “drones’ aggression” against Pakistan when Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmud expressed his determination to flex air force’s muscles publicly.
A Pakistani Taleban commander has vowed to increase attacks on NATO and US forces in Afghanistan and block their supply lines through Pakistan’s tribal areas. Militant leader Hakeemullah also threatened to target President Asif Ali Zardari and his allies, as well as saying his fighters would attack Pakistan army troops because they continue to conduct operations against his followers. Hakeemullah is a lieutenant of Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistan Taleban who was accused by the previous government and US intelligence of masterminding the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto last year. “We will increase attacks on the NATO and US forces based in Afghanistan and the supply of goods from Pakistan to these forces,” Hakeemullah told reporters taken on a rare trip to the group’s stronghold in Aurakzai tribal region.
— With input from agencies
