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Military surge in Afghanistan to affect Pakistan, says FM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, June 10, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Tuesday that consistent military surge in Afghanistan might have implications on Pakistan particularly in its southwestern Balochistan province.

The U.S plans to send around 21,000 more troops to Afghanistan to fight Taliban militants, which will increase number of American troops to over 50,000.

Pakistan leaders insist that militants will cross border into its territories after the U.S sends more troops to Afghanistan, which will intensify fighting.

“Pakistan has talked through political and military ways at all level to the stakeholders that transferring the problem from Afghanistan to Pakistan will not help resolve the issue,” Qureshi said at a news conference with his Turkish counterpart.

“There should be a civilian surge to promote reconciliatory efforts in Afghanistan to resolve issue,” the Foreign Minister said.

He said both sides also agreed to hold a regional summit in Turkey in November this year in which Afghanistan and its immediate neighbours would be participating with a view to develop a common vision on security, peace and economic development.
Qureshi said that he and both sides have decided to enhance relations in textile and energy sector besides working on free trade agreement.

He said during the meeting both sides discussed regional situation, peace, development and strengthen of relations. He said that the next session of Friends of Democratic Pakistan at ministerial level will be held in the 1st week of September this year in Istanbul.

The Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in his remarks said his country wants special strategic relations with Pakistan and would continue to support Pakistan on all international forums.