In a major policy shift, the US Special Representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, on Sunday said that his country would assist Pakistan in steering out it from its worse energy crisis. He is currently in Pakistan on his fifth official visit since assuming this charge, and this time he focused on the energy crisis, instead of combating terrorism as he had done in his earlier visits.
Addressing a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi after holding a series of meetings with Pakistan''s leadership including Nawaz Sharif.
The US representative is reported to have discussed a host of issues of mutual importance including energy crisis as Pakistan is badly suffering from it, at present. Halbrooke is reported to have said that US supports democracy in Pakistan.
He expressed satisfaction on Pakistan regarding its efforts in war the against terror, saying that killing of Baitullah Mehsub was a great success for Pakistan.
He said that this time he would completely focus on the energy crisis of Pakistan and the United States would announce new measures in a bid to bring the country out of energy and economic crises.
"Unlike past, this time we focused on the worse energy crisis faced by Pakistan ", he said, adding that the US would extend all possible support to its ally and would announce new measures in this connection.
He said that he would give briefing to the US Congress and other concerned institutions about his visit, and the challenges Pakistan faces today.
The US special envoy said that his country is actively engaged to ascertain the sources of supply of money and weapons to the miscreants in the tribal areas of Pakistan, who are embattled with the security forces. However, he said, the task "is difficult" and it would take time.
He praised the role of Pakistan in defeating terrorists, saying that Pakistan army and civilian administration made a significant progress as far as the defeating of the elements was concerned since his first visit here. On the occasion, Quershi said that Pakistan and US enjoy cordial relations and were jointly working in all fields to achieve the mutual objectives.
He said that the chief of Taliban in Pakistan, Baitullah Mehsud, had been reportedly killed, and infighting "is going on among different groups" of Taliban over the new leadership issue. This is the reason, he said, that Taliban had yet failed in nominating their new leader after the death of Baitullah. At the same time, he said, there was still some confusion in confirming the death of Baitullah Mehsud. He said that security forces succeeded in crushing the second and third categories of leadership in Swat and Malakand division, and "Taliban are on the run".
He urged the United States to support Pakistan financially as the country is facing worse economic and energy crisis due to different challenges.
Praising the role of Holbrokke, he said that he had played a significant role in cementing the ties between Pakistan and the US.
Qureshi said that Pakistan welcomes the proposed visit of US Secretary States Hillary Clinton, and added that her visit would further strengthen the bilateral relations.
He said that Pakistan "is moving forward in a decisive manner" in clearing out the militants from its territory, and would chase them wherever they are.
He said that he also discussed Kerry Lugar bill and ROZs and forthcoming presidential polls in Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan would accept and respect the mandate of Afghan elections. About drone strikes, the Foreign Minister said the US should resolve the issues of Pakistan.
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