Pakistan-US relationship should be based on mutual trust, respect-Chairman Senate

Pakistan-U.S. relationship should be based on mutual trust and respect and winning hearts and minds of the people in Pakistan-Afghanistan region is the key to ultimate success of anti-terrorism effort, Chairman Senate Farooq H. Naek said. Speaking at a dinner reception hosted in his honor by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washinton Thursday evening, Naek reaffirmed Islamabad’s anti-terrorism resolve and ruled out any foreign troops pursuing militants on the Pakistani soil.

“Pakistan is committed to a long-term strategic relationship with the United States of America. we value President (Barack) Obama’s commitment to Pakistan’s prosperity, security and stability. But this long-term partnership must be premised on mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual interest,” he told a gathering at the Pakistani embassy that inluded U.S. officials and experts on South Asian affairs.

Federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti, former PPP senator Dr Akbar Khwaja, and prominent Pakistani-American leaders attended the dinner.

Farooq Naek appreciated the Obama Administration’s economic assistance for Pakistan but highlighted the need for realizing long-sought preferrential trade access for Pakistani products in the U.S. market, advocating it would send a huge positive signal to the masses.

He noted that resolution of issues like drone attacks and heightened American airport measures subjecting travelers to security checks would help remove irritants and strengthen the fight against militancy.

The senate chairman argued that military action alone would not be enough to win peace in the region and stressed the importance blunting extremists and their appeal through initiatives that may bolster socio-economic development of the people.

“The solution lies in dialogue, reconciliation, --- so my message to the United States of American is : win hearts and minds of the people of the region, remove the trust deficit, that is very important and this will pave the way for us to win against militants.

“It’s very important to develop the social sector --- we have got to develop schools, colleges, hospitals—this is the way have got to fight terrorists.”

He said Pakistan will not allow any terrorist to use its territory.

“We are giving full cooperation to the international fight against terrorism and our message to the terrorists is very clear - that we will not allow them to use our territory for terrorist activities.”
He said Pakistan sees terrorism as threat to its security and President Asif Ali Zardari is committed to fighting the menace to its very end.

“However, let me make it clear despite the fact that we are giving full cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan, we will not allow foreign troops to operate on our territory because we believe that action (against terrorists) on our territory is only the prerogative of the armed forces of Pakistan.”

Pakistan may be a poor country, “but we are a proud and great nation. We respect our integrity and sovereignty” and safeguard it, he remarked.

Citing Pakistan’s successful anti-militant operations in recent months, he said the valiant Pakistani armed forces did an excellent job by knocking out militants from Swat and other parts of Malakand division. The security forces had the backing of the government and the people of Pakistan.

“Now we are fighting a war in the tribal belt. But we are paying a very heavy cost. We have lost thousands of innocent citizens and brave soldiers.”

Pakistan, he said, has suffered economically and used billions of dollars on secuity and operations in Swat.

In the regional context, the chairman senate voiced Pakistan’s support for Kashmiris’ inalienable right to self-determination and asked New Delhi to revoke its draconian laws that violate human rights of the people of the Occupied Kashmir and end their repression.

Pakistan wants composite dialogue with India for resolution of all outstanding disputes, he added.

Welcoming the Senate Chairman, Ambassador Husain Haqqani, earlier, said he is striving to change stereotypes about Pakistan in the United States as the country now has returned to democracy and is endeavoring to overcome its economic challenges and move forward.

“Pakistan is making a tremendous effort in fighting terrorism,” he said.

Haqqani said Pakistan-U.S. relations have seen many ups and downs in the past. The envoy addded that despite some points of differences he was confident of the two nations’ forging a close partnership in the years ahead.

Washington, Feb 5 (APP)

Back to Home page