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Pakistani President vows to defeat militants

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, June 20,IRNA -- Asif Ali Zardari told the visiting U.S special envoy that defeating the extremists on ground was one part of the battle and that complete success required that ‘we changed the militant mindset’ through creation and provision of opportunities to the people

U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and President Zardari discussed bilateral relations, security situation in the region, the shared terrorist threat, the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, reimbursements of Coalition Support Fund (CSF) arrears, drug trafficking and strengthening of Pakistan’s law enforcing agencies, president spokesman said.

“Both the countries need to cooperate in order to give local people hope through creation of jobs and other economic opportunities,” President Zardari told the U.S. envoy who is on two-day visit to Pakistan.

The President also emphasized on early reimbursement of arrears of CSF of over 1.5 billion dollars which was rising every month, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.

Briefing the media, the Spokesperson of President Asif Ali Zardari said that militancy and terrorism was the common enemy and that the existing cooperation between the two countries must continue to fight the menace.

Richard Holbrook reiterated the United States' long-term commitment to the strategic partnership with Pakistan saying that the Administration was conscious of the need for creating economic opportunity for the Pakistani people in their fight against militancy, the spokesman said.

Ambassador Richard Halbrooke said that the government and the people of United States highly appreciate the sacrifices made by the people, the armed forces and other civilian law enforcing agencies of Pakistan in the war against militants.

He said that US would continue to support Pakistan and would provide all possible assistance in strengthening of democracy, security, socio-economic development and welfare of the people of Pakistan. He said that United Stated valued Pakistan’s desire for peace and stability in the region.
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End News / IRNA / News Code 1186542