LONDON: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Wednesday underlined
that Pakistan’s policy on Afghanistan was very clear as it wanted a
“stable, peaceful and prosperous” Afghanistan through a smooth
transition.
During a meeting with Mark Philip Sedwill, the UK’s
Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Prime Minister
hoped that the time before Bonn Conference be utilized to the maximum
to draw a strategy that ensures peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan
after possible withdrawal of the ISAF forces in 2014.
He said
Pakistan’s policy on Afghanistan was very clear as it wanted a “stable,
peaceful and prosperous” Afghanistan through a smooth transition.Gilani
said Pakistan believed in a policy of non-interference in Afghanistan’s
internal affairs and believes that peace there was vital for the
stability of the entire region.
He said Pakistan was trying to
fight the menace of terrorism despite heavy odds but needed
international support to sustain its commitment.
The Prime
Minister said a two-tier joint commission on reconciliation had been
set up by Pakistan and Afghanistan. The first tier of the commission
led by the chief executives of two countries was held in Islamabad,
while the first meeting of the Joint Commission’s second tier level was
held in Kabul on June 29 this year.
Mark Sedwill apprised the
Prime Minister about the working of his office regarding matters
relating to Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said efforts would be made by
international community to focus on stability and peace in Afghanistan
in the post 2014 scenario as the region can not afford this country
plunge into chaos again. Online
