Pakistan won't undermine commitment to war on terror: foreign office

Pakistan on Wednesday assured the international community that the retirement of President Pervez Musharraf from the powerful military chief slot would not undermine its commitment to war on terror.
"There will be no shift in Pakistan's policy (towards war against terrorism) as it has nothing to do with the uniform of President Musharraf, "Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Sadiq told a weekly briefing.
The statement comes on the day Musharraf stepped down as army chief ahead of swearing in as a civilian ruler on Thursday after eight years of military rule. It was Musharraf who decided to join the war on terror when United States-led coalition forces invaded Afghanistan to punish ousted Taliban regime in 2001 for harbouring al Qaeda.
Six years down the line, he then led Pakistan as a front line state in a so-called global anti-terror campaign despite bitter opposition at home. Mohammad Sadiq said Pakistan would continue fighting terrorism with the same zeal and Musharraf's leaving the army should not be seen as point that could lower its commitment.
On Tuesday, an interior ministry spokesperson also reaffirmed the country's resolve to deal terrorism with full force even post-Musharraf (as military chief) era.
There have been indications that the Western world especially the US are still ready to bet on Musharraf and look at him as a right man who can help them eliminate terrorism from the region.
ME PEACE INITIATIVE:
Pakistan also put its weight behind a fresh US-backed Middle East peace initiative, terming it a positive development. Islamabad appreciated US for organising a conference aimed at securing peace in the troubled region of the Arab world.
The appreciation comes as leaders from Israel, Palestinian Authority and other major Arab states are meeting in the Unites States (Annapolis) to look into the prospects of creating an independent Palestinian state by end next year.
"Pakistan believes that the resolution of the Palestine issue is essential for ensuring peace and stability and alleviation of sufferings in the Middle East," Mohammad Sadiq told journalists.
The statement comes a day after US president George W Bush announced that Israel and Palestinians had agreed to a joint document that might ultimately lead to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
Pakistan welcomed the announcement and said it was satisfied with the outcome of the conference that at least there had been consensus to continue the talks on the vital issue of Palestinian state.