No cooperation amid finger-pointing: FM

Foreign Minister Qureshi supported setting up of several working groups to identify feasible projects for consideration by the Regional Conference on Afghanistan to be held in Islamabad in April this year.
He said this would help make the conference more result-oriented.
He acknowledged European Union’s offer to host an expert-level meeting in Brussels for coordination of those who wanted to contribute to the regional economic development.
He said Pakistan intends to support all international initiatives in Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister described the joint declaration signed by Pakistan and Afghanistan as a historic and watershed document that would take the bilateral relationship to new heights.
He said Pakistan wished to build a level of confidence and trust with Afghanistan, adding there was a sea change in relationship between the two countries since President Asif Ali Zardari sworn in.
He said ever since assumption of power by the democratic government in Pakistan, the two countries had moved from suspicions and finger-pointing to a relationship based on trust and confidence.
He said Pakistan was in favour of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, and wanted the relations to grow over the period of time.
He termed the mini jirga in Islamabad a success and said it was a useful instrument of dialogue and should be fully used to engage parties at all levels.
He said President Zardari and President Karzai during their talks strongly condemned the Gaza attacks, and mentioned that Pakistan had already demanded an end to Israeli aggression and asked the UN representatives to work towards an early ceasefire.
Foreign Minister also expressed the confidence that the understanding between Pakistan and Afghanistan on the need to eliminate narcotics trafficking would help tackle the problem.
He said narco-money was contributing to extremism and terrorism and stressed the need to break this nexus.
To another question, Qureshi said Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) is an important national institution which made tremendous contribution in the war against terror and this role was being recognised the world over.
He said, “The contribution of ISI should not be overlooked.�