Global community applauds successful operations against militants: Haqqani

Global community has greatly appreciated the successful operation against the militants in Swat and Malakand region by the present elected government, expressing a strong economic and political support for democratic Pakistan, said Islamabads envoy to the United States Husain Haqqani. In an interview with APP here ahead of FoDP Summit to be co chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari, US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown this week, he said the FoDP member countries would affirm their support to Pakistan to address its challenges on economic and security fronts. The FoDP summit level meeting will be attended by twenty member countries and international financial institutions including World Bank and Asian Development bank and IMF. Ambassador Haqqani said the FoDP summit will put across unequivocal message for Pakistan that it would not be left alone in the fight against terror as was done after Russian war and would extend all possible help and succor to Pakistan to preserve its sovereignty, security, democracy and economic development. He said it was quite evident that Pakistans army could perform any arduous task with the backing of the people, adding that the public opinion in Pakistan was absolutely against any extremism. To a question, Mr Haqqani said that the FoDP will also suggest measures to facilitate market access for Pakistani products in EU and other countries which, he added however could not be done overnight The envoy underscored that Pakistan has a strong case for continued international backing as its problems have roots in the world-supported effort when it helped fight the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in 1980s and now the country is spearheading the fight against extremism. Pakistans elected democratic government, its brave armed forces and the people are unanimous in their belief that terrorism is a threat to the country and that the efforts against the menace are not meant to please anybody but they are aimed at ensuring our own security and safety, he stated. Among prominent participants at FoDP summit will be prime ministers of Spain, Norway, Denmark, Japan and top leaders from Germany, China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. All these countries stand for security, stability and prosperity of Pakistan and their participation will reassure the Pakistani nation of their support. The summit will help remove apprehensions that the world will once again abandon the country, as had been the case in the past, he said in reference to United States and world powers abandoning Afghanistan and Pakistan after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989.

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