Activation on Indian border to hit anti-terror drive:Pak
Pakistan cautioned NATO that any "activation" on its border with India would affect its involvement in the war on terror.
By PTI |
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday cautioned NATO that any "activation" on its border with India would affect its involvement in the war on terror, including the anti- militancy drive launched by it in the tribal area bordering Afghanistan to flush out al-Qaeda and Taliban militants.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi stated this after a meeting with visiting NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who sought deepening cooperation and developing political dialogue between Pakistan and the European military alliance to achieve common strategic objectives.
Any "activation on the eastern border" would affect Pakistan's involvement in the war on terror, Qureshi told a joint press conference after their talks.
"Despite our concerns we are are fulfilling our responsibilities and obligations on the western borders," he said. "If we are more focussed our efficiency will improve."
"De-escalation will help Pakistan concentrate on the western border (with Afghanistan)," he said, apparently referring to tensions with India in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.
However, Scheffer said his interactions with Pakistani interlocutors had not given him any indications that there was any fear regarding the eastern border.
He said there was noting happening on the eastern border that was to the detriment of the Pakistani anti-militancy operations on western border.
"NATO respects the sovereignty of Pakistan. The ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) mission stops at the border with no exceptions," the NATO Secretary General said.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi stated this after a meeting with visiting NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who sought deepening cooperation and developing political dialogue between Pakistan and the European military alliance to achieve common strategic objectives.
Any "activation on the eastern border" would affect Pakistan's involvement in the war on terror, Qureshi told a joint press conference after their talks.
"Despite our concerns we are are fulfilling our responsibilities and obligations on the western borders," he said. "If we are more focussed our efficiency will improve."
"De-escalation will help Pakistan concentrate on the western border (with Afghanistan)," he said, apparently referring to tensions with India in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.
However, Scheffer said his interactions with Pakistani interlocutors had not given him any indications that there was any fear regarding the eastern border.
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He said there was noting happening on the eastern border that was to the detriment of the Pakistani anti-militancy operations on western border.
"NATO respects the sovereignty of Pakistan. The ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) mission stops at the border with no exceptions," the NATO Secretary General said.
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