No foreign troops pursuing militants in Pakistan: Naek

WASHINGTON (APP) - Pakistan-US relationship should be based on mutual trust and respect and winning hearts and minds of the people in Pakistan-Afghanistan region is the key to ultimate success of anti-terrorism effort, Chairman Senate Farooq H Naek said.
Speaking at a dinner reception hosted in his honour by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington Thursday evening, Naek reaffirmed Islamabad’s anti-terrorism resolve and ruled out any foreign troops pursuing militants on the Pakistani soil.
“Pakistan is committed to a long-term strategic relationship with the United States of America. We value President (Barack) Obama’s commitment to Pakistan’s prosperity, security and stability. But this long-term partnership must be premised on mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual interest,” he told a gathering at the Pakistan embassy that included US officials and experts on South Asian affairs. Federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti, former PPP senator Dr Akbar Khwaja, and prominent Pakistani-American leaders attended the dinner.
Farooq Naek appreciated the Obama Administration’s economic assistance for Pakistan but highlighted the need for realising long-sought preferential trade access for Pakistani products in the US market, advocating it would send a huge positive signal to the masses.
He noted that resolution of issues like drone attacks and heightened American airport measures subjecting travellers to security checks would help remove irritants and strengthen the fight against militancy.
The senate chairman argued that military action alone would not be enough to win peace in the region and stressed the importance blunting extremists and their appeal through initiatives that may bolster socio-economic development of the people.
“The solution lies in dialogue, reconciliation, — so my message to the United States of American is : win hearts and minds of the people of the region, remove the trust deficit, that is very important and this will pave the way for us to win against militants.
“It’s very important to develop the social sector — We have got to develop schools, colleges, hospitals-this is the way we have got to fight terrorists.”
He said Pakistan would not allow any terrorist to use its territory.
“We are giving full cooperation to the international fight against terrorism and our message to the terrorists is very clear - that we will not allow them to use our territory for terrorist activities.”