‘Pakistan, neighbouring countries want peaceful region’

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said that Pakistan and its neighbouring countries want a peaceful region.
Talking to media at Multan airport, she reiterated Pakistan’s desire of eschewing any arms race in the region and said that Afghanistan President Karzai’s recent tour to Pakistan was in better interests of Pakistan and Afghanistan; during which Karzai had admitted that Pakistan had an important role to play for peace and harmony in the region.
She said that Afghan president had also stressed Pakistan to play due role for peace in the region, which would be fully cooperated with, and also said that Karzai wanted Pakistan to start dialogue with Taliban.
Replying to a question regarding possible attack on Iran by America or/and Israel, she strongly rejected the notion, reminding of Pakistan’s warning that the region could ill-afford any such drastic military adventure, ever.
Answering another question, she reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to strengthen relationship with a super power like America, based on equality and mutual respect.
Referring to Pakistan-India relationship, she informed that talks were in progress since long, and despite a long 2-year stalemate, things had improved a lot.
Expressing Pakistan’s strong desire to share confidence building measures (CBMs) with India, she expressed her full satisfaction over progress achieved so far.
She added that PM Gilani desired resolving national crisis over grounds of reality, for which a conducive strategy had also been evolved.
She said further that Pakistan strived for better conducive relationship with global community, while relationship with China had been further enhanced, due to President Zardari’s visit to China.
She also attributed efforts of President Zardari for better ties and relations with Afghanistan.
She said that NATO forces would be leaving Afghanistan by 2014 , while she also expressed Pakistan’s strong commitment to Iran gas pipeline , and stressed on other powers to comprehend Pakistan’s needs. She also termed Seraikai province as cornerstone of PPP’s policy.