Republican manifesto says need to secure Pakistan's nuke arsenal

CLEVELAND: There is a need to secure Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, the Republican party has said, underlining that Pakistanis, Afghans and Americans share a "common interest" in achieving the objective besides eliminating Taliban.

Terming the relationship between the US and Pakistan as "historic", the party in its election manifesto said it seeks to strengthen the bilateral ties that have frayed due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

"Our working relationship is necessary, though sometimes difficult, benefit to both, and we look towards the strengthening of historic ties that have frayed under the weight of international conflict.

"This process cannot progress as long as any citizen of Pakistan can be punished for helping the war on terror. Pakistanis, Afghans and Americans have a common interest in ridding the region of the Taliban and securing Pakistan's nuclear arsenal," said the document.

The party said international conflict had created special political and military challenges for the people of Pakistan.

"A Republican president will work with all regional leaders to restore mutual trust while insisting upon progress against corruption and the narcotic trade that fuels insurgency," it said.

"No Pakistani citizen should be punished for helping the United States against the terrorists," it added, apparently referring to the jailing of Pakistani doctor Shakil Afridi who helped the CIA in tracking down al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden to Abbottabad.

In 2012, the Republican manifesto had said that it expected the Pakistan government to sever any connection between its security and intelligence forces and the insurgents.

The four-day Convention of the Republican party is going on in Cleveland, Ohio which will culminate with formal coronation of billionaire Donald Trump as the party's presidential candidate on Thursday.

Sleuths of security forces and secret service agents have converged on the city and huge make-shift iron walls have come up several blocks around the Quicken Loans Arena where the Convention would be held from July 18 till July 21.

The Convention is aimed at Americans to "get to know Donald Trump the man" rather than Trump the candidate. Trump will deliver the acceptance speech on Thursday night with the theme "Make America One Again".