ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari told United Kingdom (UK) National Security Adviser Sir Peter Ricketts at President House on Tuesday that any initiative on Afghanistan should ensure territorial integrity of the country and the Afghan ownership of the process with a commitment that their country’s soil would not be used against another. “Pakistan stands for a peaceful, stable, friendly and united Afghanistan, as Pakistan is directly impacted by any development relating to Afghanistan,” the president said.
The president said that peace and stability in Afghanistan was necessary for regional peace and emphasised on a peace process that was led by Afghans rather than foreigners. He said that an appreciation of the dynamics of human relations was no less important than machines and weapons. Zardari said that Pakistan had rendered more sacrifices, both human and material, than any other country in the fight against militancy and terrorism. He said it was a long-drawn battle where force alone could not accomplish complete victory as it was also a battle for hearts and minds.
The president said that it was for this purpose that he had been urging the international community, especially allies, to allow market access to Pakistan to generate jobs in the country and win the battle of hearts and minds by providing people with opportunities. “We want to pursue Benazir Bhutto’s vision of a peaceful South Asia through economic integration. Recently in the secretary-level talks, Pakistan and India agreed to resume dialogue on all issues,” he added.
Sir Ricketts appreciated the sacrifices rendered by law enforcement agencies and the people of Pakistan while fighting violent extremism and assured full support of the British government in curbing militancy and revival of the war and flood-ravaged economy.
The president’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar told reporters that the discussion was centered on Afghanistan, South Asia, war against terrorism and regional security issues. He said Sir Ricketts’ visit was an important component of the enhanced partnership with the UK that was agreed to between the two countries during President Zardari’s visit in August last year. The visiting UK official was accompanied by UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir David Richards, Chief of Secret Intelligence Service Sir John Sawers, and UK High Commissioner in Pakistan Adam Thomson.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani, Secretary General Salman Faruqui, Inter-Services Intelligence Director General Lt General Ahmad Shuja Pasha and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir also attended the meeting.
