Islamabad: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today underlined the need for the world community to "persuade" India to resume the stalled composite dialogue to
address all outstanding issues so that Pakistan could focus on the war against terrorism.
Gilani, who has repeatedly sought the international
community’s intervention to revive the peace process stalled
since last year’s Mumbai terror attacks, made the fresh appeal
during a meeting with the visiting French Chief of Defence
Staff, Gen Jean-Louis Georgelin.
The world community should "play its role and persuade
India to resume the composite dialogue process to address all
the outstanding bilateral issues, including the Kashmir
dispute, in the interest of regional peace in South Asia, thus
enabling Pakistan to focus its attention on the campaign
against terrorism", Gilani was quoted as saying in a statement
issued by his office.
Describing peace and stability in Afghanistan as vital
for Pakistan’s own national interests, Gilani called for
increased intelligence sharing and enhanced coordination
between Pakistan and NATO and International Security
Assistance Force troops for eliminating "rogue elements
destabilising both the countries".
He also stressed the need for expanding defence and
economic ties between Pakistan and France and asked the French
government to provide modern defence equipment to help
Pakistan in its operation against terrorism.
The world community should urgently honour its pledges
to help Pakistan’s efforts to address the root causes of
terrorism through its reconstruction strategy, Gilani
underlined.
The Pakistan government is looking forward to the
French President’s visit next year and hopes it will help
bolster relations, Gilani said.
Gen Georgelin agreed with the premier on the issue of
building the capacity of Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies
and assisting in the reconstruction of areas affected by militancy.
Success in war on terror depends on talks with India: Gilani
Islamabad: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today underlined the need for the world community to "persuade" India to resume the stalled composite dialogue to
address all outstanding issues so that Pakistan could focus on the war against terrorism.
Gilani, who has repeatedly sought the international
community’s intervention to revive the peace process stalled
since last year’s Mumbai terror attacks, made the fresh appeal
during a meeting with the visiting French Chief of Defence
Staff, Gen Jean-Louis Georgelin.
The world community should "play its role and persuade
India to resume the composite dialogue process to address all
the outstanding bilateral issues, including the Kashmir
dispute, in the interest of regional peace in South Asia, thus
enabling Pakistan to focus its attention on the campaign
against terrorism", Gilani was quoted as saying in a statement
issued by his office.
Describing peace and stability in Afghanistan as vital
for Pakistan’s own national interests, Gilani called for
increased intelligence sharing and enhanced coordination
between Pakistan and NATO and International Security
Assistance Force troops for eliminating "rogue elements
destabilising both the countries".
He also stressed the need for expanding defence and
economic ties between Pakistan and France and asked the French
government to provide modern defence equipment to help
Pakistan in its operation against terrorism.
The world community should urgently honour its pledges
to help Pakistan’s efforts to address the root causes of
terrorism through its reconstruction strategy, Gilani
underlined.
The Pakistan government is looking forward to the
French President’s visit next year and hopes it will help
bolster relations, Gilani said.
Gen Georgelin agreed with the premier on the issue of
building the capacity of Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies
and assisting in the reconstruction of areas affected by
militancy.
He said France will positively consider Pakistan’s
request for defence equipment, enhanced training facilities
and sharing of intelligence.
PTI
