With Nato, and US President Barack Obama reaffirming their support to Afghanistan, that they would not abandon the war torn country, Zardari too extended support to a peaceful transition in Pakistan’s western neighbour, per the text of his speech released on Monday.
“A peaceful, prosperous and stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s national interest,” the President said, before announcing $5 million for the Afghan National Security Forces, with an additional $15 million in training and equipment.
Continuing on this partnership scheme, he said that Pakistan wanted to extend transit trade to Tajikistan and that Pakistan wished to be a part of all initiatives to assist and support economic integration of the region surrounding Afghanistan.
“We all have a stake in durable peace.”
Parliament’s guide lines
Talking about the new engagement policy for Pakistan, as spelled out by the Parliament, Zardari reiterated that the guide lines set by the PCNS recommendations favoured an approach of cooperation and partnership.
For these to survive the long run, he added that as per Parliament’s recommendations, these partnerships must be founded on mutual respect for sovereignty and a cooperative spirit.
“The message I bring to you from Pakistan is that we believe in partnerships based on trust and respect.”
Zardari pointed out that Pakistan had suffered the most losses, but it remained committed to fighting terrorism and extremism, and to root out al Qaeda remnants.
With one of the calls at the summit being that Pakistan expedite the reopening of Ground Lines of Communication (GLOCs), the President said that negotiators were still engaged, with the Defence Committee of the Cabinet issuing directives to conclude them as quickly as possible.
In the end, Zardari said “let us fight together, not just against forces of terrorism and extremism, but also against illiteracy, illicit drugs, hunger, poverty and disease.”
“Ours is a battle of hearts and minds, of the young and the old and of the men and women alike.”
Brief Zardari, Obama meeting
While it wasn't a sitdown meeting, the US President Barack Obama and Pakistani President Zardari finally met on the sidelines of the NATO Summit.
According to a White House statement, President Obama spoke with the Pakistani premier twice on Monday. "They had a brief one-on-one conversation as they made their way into the ISAF meeting this morning. Later this afternoon, the President had the chance to briefly speak with President Zardari and President Karzai, underscoring their shared commitment to an Afghan-led reconciliation process to bring the war to a responsible end," said the statement from the White House.
The meeting took place after US media reported that President Obama had refused to meet President Zardari as Pakistan had still not re-opened the NATO supply routes.
COMMENTS (30)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: "Afghanistan and India should clap with both hands on the initiative taken by the President of Pakistan." And, what else would you have us do -dance bhangra? Get out of this delusional state. No one trusts anyone or anything that comes out of Pakistan. Same old games, same old duplicity, same old doublespeak, same old deception, same old outstretched hands for handouts. The world is getting fed up with you. You were invited on to the mat and humiliated before the world. Some khudi, some ghairat!!!! We in South Asia are mighty glad that you are setting yourself apart from us!
Although presidents Zardari and Obama did speak, but it will take loads of negotiations to rid of the frictions between the two countries. The U.S. would like to see the reopening of the supply routes as soon as possible. Zardari said that his government was in favour of reaching a deal with Nato, but with strings attached. Time will tell if Obama's lecture resonates. He warned that a stable Pakistan were key to stability and it would be in Pakistan's interests to work with the U.S. and the world community to ensure that it wouldn't fall victim to home-grown extremism itself.
@John B: And how on eath did all those terrorists' came to Pakistan !! ? .. why were the NATO forces so incapable to properly guard the borders .. with all those helicopters, satelites and drones and night vision goggles ! .. pakistan has done enough to save the skin of nato forces .. we have already forgiven NATO for allowing OBL and other senior al-qaeda leaders to escape from tora bora ! .. such a useless fighting machine ! Pak had to suffer bcoz of the supreme follies of Nato !! ..
@AFPAK: Such a thoughtful comment ! .. then why is the lion (aka US) is negotiating its exit with taliban !! ??? Does Karzai controls most of afghanistan or someone else ??
@AFPAK: Leran the difference between terrorists and insurgents !! .. did the Haqqani network blew off the towers ! ??? .. there is no point in being naive ..
@John B: Going to Chicago with or without a commitment for opening supply routes wasnat a big deal ! .. Atleast Pak does not need any confirmation of the fact that it has successfully taken back sawat and SWA after fierce gun battles and after losing more than 3k soldiers .. The other thing is .. you need to distinguish between terrorism and insurgency .. most of the incidents which u see in afghanistan are bcoz people and resistance leaders are un happy bcoz of the presence of nato forces on their lands .. which they see as occupational forces .. what is important is that Obama must appologise to the people of pakistan for the Salala incident and give his word that such incidents will not be repeated .. until then the supply routes should not be opened .. If it is hurting the pockets of nato/US .. let it be ..
"“The message I bring to you from Pakistan is that we believe in partnerships based on trust and respect.”" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ and giving sanctuary to OBL....
Another piece of stenography disguised as journalism.
America may not be aware that our successful (and costly) effort to clear thousands of terrorists from Swat, Bajaur and Mohmand has been undermined by militants who now find sanctuary in eastern Afghanistan from which they continuously attack our civilians and our soldiers. Despite the enormous efforts taken and huge casualties suffered, Pakistan's efforts are in vain if NATO cannot provide the anvil to Pakistan's hammer. The threat to Pakistan is real and constant. The daily attacks shatter lives on a level we could never have imagined before 2001. Each military offensive launched in our tribal areas results in immediate attacks on our schools, hospitals, markets and religious shrines across our nation. Yet we are resilient. We continue the fight.
Recently USA increased visa fees for India / Pakistan visitors to 300% more of the prior fees. Nobody objected as it is USA's right to do that ( Even it is painful for the Asian Visitors) !!! Every country has the right to increase their fees....SO I DO NOT UNDERSTAND...Why PAKISTAN could not have the right to charge FEES ,as much or what ever they want to charge !!!!!!!!!!!! SO NO MORE DOUBLE STANDARDS !!!!!!!
@Rashid Baig: So, you would like us to believe that the closure of the NATO route was due to the killing of a mere 24 soldiers???!!! The Taliban on a off~day would kill twice as many without so much as a whimper of protest from any of you. Read the LA Times coverage of the NATO summit. Your government is haggling over the price of reopening the route. They want $ 5000 per truck. A huge markup over the existing $200 per truck. Beggars will remain beggars.
Pasha should be stripped off all his retirement benefits. He has single handedly done irreparable harm to the country.
It does looks good that who responsible for terrorism are talking about peace. They should fix the problem before its spreads all over the world, but apprently, it seems, they missed the line and firing in the air to fix it , but it is getting worse.
@Rashid Baig: Pride is hood. Bind pride however makes one intoxicated. Have you forgot that all wanted terrorists in the world from Bali to London to NY to Mumbai are in PAK ? Get a grip on reality.
Be happy that American people forgave PAK for Abottabad.
Instead of inviting the First Looter of Pakistan, Zardari to Chicago, the NATO setup should have offered him a satisfactory commission/kickback. For more money an overseas bank, Zardari will do anything for anyone.
What a load of rubbish. Same old double speak. The world now finds it difficult to decide what to trust. The civilian leadership talking as if they were the aid givers to NATO or the army leadership who talk as if the world's strategic fulcrum starts and ends with Pakistan. In the end they will do neither. They will rather believe what they see on the ground and that shows that the supply lines are still blocked and Pakistan is aiding and abetting terrorists on a regular basis.
Zardari caved in .. o yes
Mr President. You are the wrath of God for this sinful Non Repenting Nation.
As Zardari comes back empty but firm-handed, he will become hero of many in Ghairat and Bayghairat brigade of Pakistan.
Pakistan asked not only $5000 per container as transit fee ($3 million each day for an average 600 trucks) but also for the repair money of its roads and absolving it of any responsibility of safety of the cargo in Pakistan unless it is adequately compensated for the safety and security separately.
Remember the coming June 2012 budget of a bankrupt nation who has already defaulted on APP loans and much more to come.
Another weak speech which was long on platitudes and short on anything concrete that would help Afghanistan. Once again Pakistan holds itself out as a critical player but doesn't bring anything to the table -- acts more like a jackal waiting for the big boys to leave so it can get a snack. Pakistan had a chance to step up and get World attention and kudos - but that would take real leadership which is obviously missing.
@Saeb: I agree with you. In fact Zardari has surprised me by his tenacity in sticking to his position in spite of all the opposition. They tried to browbeat him into submission but he stood his ground. I am no fan of Zardari but he has shown his mettle better than any other politician in Pakistan would have, in my opinion. My concern is that US\Nato will slash and burn their way out of Afghanistan. This will impact us. Their track record in Vietnam, where they found themselves in a similar situation shows how they destroyed Laos and Cambodia without batting an eyelid.
@Saeb wrote:
"Pakistan is all out to root out terrorism – not only in Pakistan but also from all surrounding region."
How?
Why doesn't Pakistan start with neutralizing Haqqani brothers, a mile away from Pakistan military premises in Miranshah in N Waziristan in its own territory first?
President Zardari is the king of politics! Long Live President Zardari!
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui:
What about peace in Pakistan first?
What about safe havens, training and funding for terrorists and other non-state actors by Pakistan to create mayhem in neighboring countries which is the root cause of disturbances?
@John B: What you think keep bullying for free bees will work everyday !?!?! What you think America’s expectations of NATO supply route from Pakistan being opened at the cost of 24 soldiers is very easy !? !? Pakistan is not Saying it will fight terrorism Pakistan is already fighting terrorism everyday. Advocacy of democratic parliament is the only way you learnt or supported I suppose then what the heck now ?!?!?!? Do you want our Army or Parliament to talk to you (US) !?!?! I wish if our Army start talking…………………………
A very balanced approach by Pakistan. If you see the war in Afghanistan from Pakistan's perspective, they are the worst sufferers. Pakistan is all out to root out terrorism - not only in Pakistan but also from all surrounding region. But if Pakistan's own sovereignty is jeopardized in the process, their rulers will have no face to show to the moderate elements (which surely form an electoral majority in the country). These moderates will ask a simple question "We were loosing our sovereignty to the terrorists, we fought against them. Now we are loosing it to the US led coalition. Now what?", a question to which the government will have no answer. The coalition must understand its responsibilities toward the region. If there is instability, if there is extremism or terrorism, if there is hatred in the region, somewhere back in the annals of history each and every one of the partners had a contribution. Simply put its a problem we have all jointly created and jointly we must resolve it. That is the least that we owe to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
What you think keep bullying for free bees will work everyday !?!?! What you think America's expectations of NATO supply route from Pakistan being opened at the cost of 24 soldiers is very easy !? !? Pakistan is not Saying it will fight terrorism Pakistan is already fighting terrorism everyday. Advocacy of democratic parliament is the only way you learnt or supported I suppose then what the heck now ?!?!?!? Do you want our Army or Parliament to talk to you (US) !?!?! I wish if our Army start talking.................................
"$5 million for the Afghan National Security Forces." Surely you jest!
Peace is necessary on the left and right of Pakistan.
We want peace with Afghanistan as well as with India but in turn we do not want Afghanistan or India to be hostile with Pakistan.
Afghanistan and India should clap with both hands on the initiative taken by the President of Pakistan.
Coming to Chicago without firm resolution on NATO supply route is a big mistake for PAK. PAK can not say she fights terrorism in cooperation with NATO and advocate PAK parliamentary committee recommendations in the same breath.