Pakistan wants India-style nuclear deal with US

He said Pakistan is facing challenges like the conflict in Afghanistan and the unresolved Kashmir dispute. Resolution of these issues is an imperative for peace and economic prosperity of the region and its people. Afghanistan became a base for extremist forces, comprising mostly of foreign elements, who had come to oust the Soviet Union. Qureshi said Pakistan supported the government of President Karzai and its efforts to help restore normalcy and stability in Afghanistan. An Afghanistan at peace with itself is important for Pakistan and vital for the stability and economic progress of the entire region, he said, adding: “We therefore call upon the international community to help restore Afghanistan’s past glory and to help in its reconstruction and rehabilitation.”

The Foreign Minister said Pakistan is fully aware of the threat to Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “We are doing all we can to ensure that our territory is not used as a staging ground for attacks into Afghanistan however, it deeply hurts us when there are accusatory statements from Afghanistan that we are endangering their peace and sovereignty. Nothing can be far from the truth. We want a stable and viable Afghanistan to play its due role in the betterment and development of the region,” Qureshi said.

While speaking on the Indo-Pak ties, Mr Qureshi said that in the interest of peace and progress in South Asia, there has to be a normalization of relations between Pakistan and India. “We are working with India through a composite dialogue process to resolve all issues including Kashmir to ensure durable peace in the region. We have demonstrated sufficient resolve and flexibility in order to seek a peaceful solution of this problem. It is upto India to do the same so that the people of South Asia can have the opportunity to live in an atmosphere of peace, stability and prosperity,” he said.