Pakistan on Friday expressed its concern with German special Representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan Bernd Mutzelburg about the frequent drone attacks on Pakistani territory by the Nato forces and the impression that the drone attacks would be extended to Balochistan.
In his maiden visit to Pakistan in his new capacity, the German Special Representative called on Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and discussed issues of mutual importance. Germany is the biggest economic power of the European Union and a major strategic power.
Germany had also appointed its special Representatives to Pakistan and Afghanistan after the decision of Obama Administration to appoint Richard Holbrooke as special Representative to these two countries of strategic importance to further intensify its diplomatic engagement with them.
During the meeting issues with the Pakistani foreign minister, the Representative discussed Pak-German bilateral relations and efforts to counter terrorism and extremism in the region.
Sources also said that German special Representative also assured Pakistan to play effective role for giving maximum access to Pakistani commodities to the EU markets. Besides, the Representative extended full support to the democratic government of Pakistan and expressed the German Governments desire to work in close collaboration with it. Both sides agreed to adopt a holistic approach in dealing with the problem of terrorism in the region.
The special representatives reportedly endorsed Pakistans approach that force alone could not solve the problem and development, dialogue and reconciliation should be pursued more vigorously to achieve peace in the region.
Sources said that Pakistan complained about frequent drone attacks in the tribal areas of Pakistan by the Nato forces. The Foreign Minister underlined that drone attacks in the tribal areas of Pakistan were counter-productive for they worked against our efforts aimed at winning hearts and minds.
The German Special Representative expressed full understanding of Pakistans concerns, reiterating Germanys apprehensions about the effectiveness of drone attacks. Mutzelburg appreciated Pakistans efforts in hosting over three million Afghan refugees. He underlined the need for the international community to assist Pakistan in this regard.
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