ISLAMABAD – Frank J Ruggiero, the acting US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, on Friday urged Pakistani authorities to accelerate anti-terrorism efforts in the country’s Tribal Areas, saying it was vital for the success of the counter-terrorism campaign in Afghanistan.
The US special representative called on Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani at General Headquarters. The visiting dignitary remained with him for some time and discussed matters of mutual interest, the ISPR said.
An official said the US diplomat asked for an acceleration of Pakistan’s efforts in the Tribal Areas. “The US envoy was of the view that the elimination of suspected terrorist hideouts in the Tribal Areas, especially North Waziristan, was vital for the success of the Washington-led global anti-terrorism campaign in Afghanistan,” the official said.
Ruggiero also met Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. They discussed a range of issues of mutual interest and concern, according to Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit.
Qureshi paid rich tribute to the previous US special envoy, late Richard Holbrooke, for his contributions towards transforming Pakistan-US relations into a long-term partnership.
Discussing the US Strategic Review on Afghanistan, the foreign minister said it was encouraging that the US had acknowledged successes achieved by Pakistan in containing militancy and terrorism, Basit said.
Foreign Minister Qureshi underlined that a stable and peaceful Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s strategic interest.
“Accordingly, Pakistan, as the immediate neighbour of Afghanistan, would not shirk from taking every step possible to promote and facilitate reconciliation and reintegration in the country as part of the Afghanistan-driven process,” the foreign minister was quoted as saying. Discussing the Trilateral (Afghanistan-Pakistan-US) Ministerial Meeting scheduled in Washington in February, the two sides underlined the need for full preparations with a view to achieving maximum tangible results, Basit said.
The two sides expressed confidence that President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Washington and President Barack Obama’s visit to Pakistan this year would add considerably to the process of strengthening bilateral relations. He added that the disbursement of US economic assistance to Pakistan needed to be accelerated.
Speed up military operation, US tells Pakistan
