Yesterday

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani talking to US Senator Carl Levin, Chairman Armed Services Committee, who called on him at the PM House. – Online photo

ISLAMABAD: Senator Carl Levin, Chairman Armed Services Committee called on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani here Tuesday in which the Senator underlined the importance of bringing back US-Pakistan relations on even keel because both the countries were fighting a common enemy.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan desired a sovereign, independent, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan, adding that his country supported Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of reconciliation.
Gilani said that Pakistan was a part of the solution and not the part of the problem and favoured three Ds namely, Dialogue, Development and Deterrence, as the best strategy to seek out the solution of the Afghan imbroglio.
The PM called upon both the countries to evolve a common strategy against the common enemy because its absence would benefit the enemy which is both coward and callous.
The Prime Minister said, “one wonders how terrorists dare go to Afghanistan without being eliminated by the Isaf and Nato Forces which are equipped with the most advanced weapons.”
Gilani, during the meeting appreciated Hilary Clinton who took stand and supported Pakistan’s case for assistance at the time when the voices of imposing restrictions were being raised in Washington. She wrote to the House Foreign Committee Members that the proposed restrictions would damage the ‘the US considered foreign policy and diplomacy.’
The PM also referred to the telephonic exchange of views between the Pakistan foreign Minister and Hilary Clinton in the recent past in which they exchanged views about the ongoing discussion on the objectives and principles of enduring partnership with Pakistan.
The Prime Minister underscored the importance of relations between the US and Pakistan that should go beyond terrorism and cover other areas of bilateral relations on durable basis for the benefit of people of both countries.
He said that Pakistan had suffered badly in the war on terror and had rendered more sacrifices in terms of civilians and the troops’ fatalities than the coalition partners put together.
However, he said, the success of the military operation in Malakand Division stands out because the nation not only defeated the terrorists but also managed the return of more than two million IDPs within two months to their homes with honour and dignity.