Islamabad seeks clarity on US plan

ISLAMABAD (AFP) Pakistan on Wednesday urged US President Barack Obama to work closely with Islamabad to ensure that his new Afghan war strategy deploying 30,000 more American troops did not harm Pakistan. Pakistani officials have in the past raised concerns that an influx of soldiers into Afghanistan could push militants over the border, and such fears tempered Islamabads reaction to Obamas announcement. We welcome President Obamas reaffirmation of partnership between the two countries built on a foundation of mutual interest, mutual respect and mutual trust, a statement released by the foreign ministry said. Pakistan looks forward to engaging closely with US in understanding the full import of the new strategy and to ensure that there would be no adverse fallout on Pakistan, it added. Pakistan and the US need to closely coordinate their efforts to achieve shared objectives. There is certainly the need for clarity and coordination on all aspects of the implementation of the strategy. President Obama has correctly mentioned that the struggle against violent extremism extends well beyond the region, the statement said. Pakistan is committed to uprooting terrorism from our region and in advancing the cause of peace and stability in Afghanistan. Security has drastically deteriorated since Pakistan joined the US-led war on terror and hundreds of Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants fled into the tribal belt after the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan.

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