Fight against terrorism: Pakistan and Afghanistan to further enhance cooperation

Pakistan and Afghanistan Friday once again reiterated their commitment to further enhance co-operation with each other to face the menace of extremism and terrorism to ensure peace, security and development in the region.
During a meeting between President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani here on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, both the leaders discussed various aspects for further co-operation for the benefit of the people of two countries.
Prime Minister Gilani told the Afghan President that Pakistan has adopted 3D strategy, comprising Dialogue, Development and Deterrence to tackle the menace of terrorism and extremism.
He said the talks will be held only with those who denounce terrorism and lay down arms adding that there will be no negotiations with those who are fighting or involved in the terrorist activities. The Prime Minister said Pakistan will neither allow its territory to be used as sanctuary for terrorists nor as base for aggression against neighbouring countries.
Gilani said the second point of the strategy is to take effective steps for poverty alleviation as ignorance, lack of basic facilities like health, education and drinking water, lack of jobs and other needs of the people are also major causes of terrorism. He said the third and the last resort is to use force against the militants who are disturbing the law and order situation causing major threat to the economic stability.
The Prime Minister told the Afghan President that Army action is not a permanent solution to the problem of terrorism, therefore, other options should be given more consideration to eliminate this menace. He said Pakistan Peoples Party lost its leader Benazir Bhutto in this war against terrorism as she was assassinated by the terrorists.
Prime Minister Gilani also referred to the unanimously adopted resolution by the joint session of the Parliament and said that through this resolution the Parliament has given mandate to the government for fighting terrorism in national interest. He said the international community should extend its full support and co-operation to Pakistan for the success in the efforts to counter terrorism and for the development in Afghanistan. Both the leaders also agreed to increase bilateral trade and economic activities.
Later, Prime Minister Gilani described his meeting with President Karzai as "very good" in which they exchanged views on all aspects of bilateral relations as well as the situation in the region.
He expressed the hope that the next meeting of Pak-Afghan Jirga will be held very soon either in Islamabad or Kabul. President Karzai also termed the meeting "very good and fruitful" and said with increased and improved contacts the relations between the two countries will further strengthen in the days to come. The Afghan President lauded the efforts of Pakistan for organising the meeting of Jirgagai in Islamabad recently and said that it would increase people to people contacts between the two countries.