President Asif Ali Zardari has declared Pakistan’s determination to not allow anyone to use its territory against a third nation against the backdrop of mounting international pressure on his country to dismantle terror infrastructure blamed for attacks on India.
Mr. Zardari also raised the Kashmir issue saying meaningful progress towards resolution of the “dispute” is necessary for the durable peace and stability in South Asia and wanted the revival of composite Indo-Pak dialogue.
In his wide ranging address and discourse with British intelligentsia gathered at London’s International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) yesterday, Mr. Zardari said terrorist attacks were also directed against Pakistan’s peace process with India.
Mr. Zardari, who also answered questions, said the non-state actors and supporters of dictatorship have vested interest in fanning conflict in the region.
Extremists and militants who challenge the state and our ideology wherever they may be in Pakistan will be chased and eliminated, the President said.
Reinforcing this commitment to end militancy, the President said, “Let me assure you that we have not come this far at this price, to fail“.
Mr. Zardari also rejected the blames that were being laid at the door of Pakistan and said “We need active regional cooperation and understanding rather than resorting to blame game.”
