Pakistan, Japan to boost war on terror cooperation

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Japan on Saturday resolved to increase cooperation in fight against terrorism while agreeing to curb the menace through multi-pronged strategy with focus on economic development of tribal areas.

Foreign Minister of Japan Masahiko Komura, who arrived here Friday on a three-day visit, held talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi here at the foreign office.

Later addressing a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Qureshi, the Japanese Foreign Minister said that his country would fully support Pakistan in combating terrorism.

Japan, he said, would also extend $479 million soft loan to Pakistan.

Earlier, the Japanese Foreign Minister also called on President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. During the talks, it was agreed to boost bilateral relations. They also exchanged views over regional and international issues, according to officials privy to the high level meetings.

At the press conference, Japanese Foreign Minister said, "Terrorism is a global phenomenon and the world community needs to join hands to curb this menace."

Lauding the role of Pakistan in global war against terrorism, he said that the world had acknowledged the role of Pakistan in this war.

About his meeting with Foreign Minister Qureshi, he said, they had discussed all the issues in meeting. He said that he assured that Japan, as Chairman of G-8, would ask other members of the group to extend their cooperation and assistance to Pakistan for socio-economic development.

Qureshi said during the talks with the Japanese counterpart, he explained that the government had evolved a multi-pronged strategy to effectively combat extremism and terrorism.

However, he said there would be no compromise on the contentious issue of terror and there would be no talks with terrorists.

"Pakistan is committed to fulfill its responsibility for peace and security in the region. The terrorists are in minority and they are operating near the border with Afghanistan but the government has been taking measures to curb their activities," he said.

Qureshi said those elements were disturbing peace in the region.

The Foreign Minister said that the government was committed to counter terrorism and there would be no compromise on that.

He said the government was engaged in dialogue with those who had surrendered and it had also started various projects for economic development in the area and poverty alleviation through multi-pronged strategy.

Talking about the improvement in law and order situation in Pakistan, the Foreign Minister said that his Japanese counterpart told him that last year 1,400 Japanese tourists visited Pakistan and more would be coming during the current year.

In reply to a question, the Japanese Foreign Minister lauded what he dubbed peaceful democratic transition in Pakistan after fair, free and credible polls.

He said Japan would extend full help and cooperation to the new democratic government of Pakistan.

In his opening statement earlier, Foreign Minister Qureshi said that the talks with his Japanese counterpart were very useful and productive.

He said that the political interaction between the two countries would further enhance bilateral relations in different fields.

He said we were thankful to Japan for assisting Pakistan in the general elections and for sending observers to monitor the election process.

Qureshi also thanked the Japanese Foreign Minister and people of Japan for their magnanimous assistance to Pakistan following 2005 earthquake.

"Japanese Foreign Minister has showed keen interest to open more educational institutions and health centers in the quake affected areas," he said.