End to terrorism, extremism: Pakistan and Afghanistan pin hope on Obama's policies

Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday expressed the hope that the Obama Administration would adopt a comprehensive and holistic approach in addressing the challenge of terrorism in the region.
At separate meetings with Afghan Foreign Minister Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta, President Asif Ali Zardari and Shah Mehmood Qureshi hoped that the US approach to the foreign policy in general and campaign against terrorism in Afghanistan would accelerate pace of political process and development.
Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta arrived here on Friday to discuss Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations and international issues. Soon after his arrival, he called on President Asif Ali Zardari. President Asif Ali Zardari, during his meeting with Foreign Minister Spanta, stressed the need for joint efforts to defeat extremists and terrorists. Sources said that the President informed the Afghan Foreign Minister about the new strategy Pakistan had adopted to defeat the insurgency.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Afghan government for extending warm and traditional hospitality during his visit to Kabul earlier this month. He said he was looking forward to welcome President Hamid Karzai to Pakistan. President Zardari said the joint declaration on directions of bilateral co-operation signed during his visit to Kabul provided the framework for bilateral relations in future. Foreign Minister Spanta also held a detailed meeting with Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the Foreign Office.
The two Ministers expressed satisfaction on the ongoing multi-track bilateral co-operation, and expressed readiness to strengthen this co-operation at strategic and tactical levels. Foreign Minister Qureshi said Pakistan welcomed the introduction of a moral dimension in the US approach to the foreign policy in general and campaign against terrorism in particular.
He said it was now universally accepted fact that the use of force alone would not address the challenge of terrorism. Dialogue with moderate forces and engagement with reconcilable elements was important in controlling the spread of extremism and militancy, he added. The two Foreign Ministers welcomed the appointment of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke as US special envoy to the region, and hoped that he would comprehensively focus on addressing the menace of extremism and terrorism.
The two sides also reiterated the resolve to extend full support to Jirga process to pursue the dual objectives of dialogue and development. They also agreed that closer bilateral co-operation was necessary to control the two-way movement of militants and miscreants on Pakistan-Afghanistan border.