Deputy Speaker, National Assembly, Faisal Karim Kundi has said that Pakistan was determined to fight terrorists and root out terrorism from the country. He said this in his meeting with a US delegation, headed by Dr Barnett R Rubin, Special Advisor to US President's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, in the Parliament House on Saturday.
MNAs and Senators from Fata were also present in the meeting. Deputy Speaker said that peace, security and development in Fata was the main concern of the government and added that provision of basic amenities and opportunities in the area would help in curbing extremism there. He stressed for elimination of the root causes of extremism in the area.
The Fata MNAs apprised Dr Barnett R. Rubin and his delegation that illiteracy, poverty, unemployment and lack of opportunities in Fata were the major cause of extremism and terrorism in the area. They conveyed the US delegation that US was responsible for the birth of extremism and terrorism in Fata and now it was its responsibility to come forward and help Pakistan eliminate this menace.
Dr Barnett R Rubin said that US was concerned about peace and security of Pakistan and Afghanistan and wanted to see both countries prosper. He said that development of Fata was the priority of US government and all efforts are underway to eliminate backwardness from the area. He assured the Fata MNAs that in future their views will get priority in the US policy for Fata and they will be heard on matters relating Fata.-PR