Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Pakistan not to accept pressure for NW operation: FM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad,Oct 31, IRNA -- Pakistan Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Saturday that his country would not accept any foreign pressure to launch military operation against the militants in North Waziristan tribal region.

Pakistan is under tremendous pressure from the U.S. and NATO member nations to launch operation in North Waziristan against several Pakistani and Afghan groups, who are blamed for planning cross border attacks in Afghanistan.

“Pakistan would itself decide on any operation keeping in view its requirements, resources and priorities,” Qureshi told journalists in the city of Multan.

“There was no external pressure on Pakistan for launching an operation in North Waziristan,” the Foreign Minister said, adding the whole world had acknowledged Pakistan's sacrifice in the war on terror.

To a question on 'do more' demand from the U.S. and other Western nations, he said Pakistan is making sincere efforts in the war and it had made sacrifices.

'Our people and even shrines are being targeted by terrorists,' he said and added that Pakistan and the U.S. should move forward in the context.

On the recently concluded 3-day Strategic Dialogue with the U.S., the foreign minister said the Obama administration, in the dialogue, decided to provide 2 billion dollars five-year security assistance to Pakistan to fulfill its defence requirements.

On possibility of civil nuclear assistance from the U.S., Qureshi said, 'Energy is our requirement and we have conveyed our desire of a civil nuclear agreement. There should be no discrimination on the civil nuclear programme. We also want to move forward in the direction.'

He said Pakistan, being a neighbouring country, was ready to help the Afghan government for peace in Afghanistan if it sought Pakistan's help. He said groups which were fighting against each others in Afghanistan were locals with different ethnic backgrounds and ideologies.

“If the groups are willing to hold talks for peace, Pakistan is ready to help the process leading to peace and prosperity in Afghanistan,' he added.

He said the UK had also wanted strategic dialogue with Pakistan, adding Pakistan also gave importance to its relations with Russia. 'We have initiated a process to expand our relations with Russia, he added.
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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30047740