Sartaj calls for more all level talks between Pakistan, US

ISLAMABAD: Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz Wednesday called for more dialogue and communication at all levels between Pakistan and the United Staes.

Addressing a conference in Islamabad, he said the cooperation between the two countries is vital to defeat the menace of terrorism and bring peace and stability to Afghanistan and the region.

He said fight against terrorism is continuing successfully and terrorism incidents have decreased by 70 percent.

The Advisor said now Operation Raddul Fasaad is underway to eliminate terrorism across the country. 

He said Pakistan believes in the policy of going after terrorists without any discrimination.

Sartaj Aziz expressed the hope that with the improved security and economic situation will help to further expand trade and investment relationship between Islamabad and Washington.

Speaking on the occasion, US Ambassador David Hale stressed the need for enhanced cooperation on shared national interests to benefit the people of both the countries. He said these shared interests include fighting terrorism, fostering economic growth, investment and building a more stable and prosperous region, including in Afghanistan.

He said the United States greatly acknowledged Pakistan's great sacrifices in this regard. 

The Ambassador said Pak-US relationships are very resilient and Pakistan's success is of great strategic interest to the United States.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office said Wednesday India has run away from the table of Kashmir talks once again owing to its weak position on the conflict.

The warmongering government of India had rejected the United States offer to mediate with Pakistan on Kashmir issue. FO spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said that the behaviour of the neighbourly state was disappointing, adding that the weak position of India compelled it to quit Kashmir talks.

"Whenever the United States or any other global power asked to mediate the talks, India backed away," he added. He further told that India was involved in sponsoring terrorism while Pakistan had always supported result-oriented negotiations on the conflicts. - NNI