Export of small arms policy: Germany's relaxation to help fight terrorism, says Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan believes in maintaining minimum credible deterrence for ensuring peace and security. The relaxation given by German Government in the sale of small arms to Pakistan will strengthen the mechanism and capability to fight terrorism and its eradication, the Prime Minister said while talking to Dr Franz Josef Jung, German Minister for Defence who called on him here on Friday.
Gilani briefed the German minister in detail about Pakistan's strategy to fight the menace of terrorism and extremism. "Pakistan is firmly committed to fighting these elements," he said. The Prime Minister said that majority of the people living in tribal and bordering areas with Afghanistan were supportive of the government's efforts in the war against terrorism.
He urged the allied forces to refrain from undertaking attacks on Pakistan's soil saying that these attacks on civilians will only serve the terrorists to earn sympathies among the general masses particularly the people suffering from the collateral damage.
The Prime Minister welcomed the growing military and defence co-operation between the two countries and said that this would help in further strengthening relations between the two nations. Pakistan greatly values its relations with Germany, which are based on mutual respect and shared perceptions on significant regional and international issues, he added.
He noted that the high-level contacts are effective tools for strengthening co-operation between the two countries. He urged for increased official exchanges and people to people contacts between Pakistan and Germany. Dr Jung assured the Prime Minister of his government's support in war against terrorism and endorsed Pakistan's current strategy to fight the menace.
He also assured the Prime Minister that his government would consider the proposals made by Pakistan to increase defence co-operation between the two countries.