LONDON: Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Wednesday urged the international community to devise a clear roadmap on Afghanistan to ensure peace and stability in the region and the world while speaking at a meeting with Mark Philip Sedwill, the UK’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan’s policy on Afghanistan was very clear as it wanted a “stable, peaceful and prosperous” Afghanistan through a smooth transition. He hoped that the time before Bonn Conference be utilised to draw a strategy that ensures peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan after the possible withdrawal of the ISAF forces in 2014.
Gilani said Pakistan believed in a policy of non-interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs and believes that peace was vital for the stability of the entire region.
He said Pakistan was trying to fight the menace of terrorism despite heavy odds but needed international support to sustain its commitment.
The Prime Minister said a two-tier joint commission on reconciliation had been set up by Pakistan and Afghanistan to tackle terrorism. The first tier of the commission led by the chief executives of two countries was held in Islamabad, while the first meeting of the Joint Commission’s second tier level was held in Kabul on June 29 this year.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan has been working with the Afghan leadership to promote reconciliation through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process with the Taliban.
He expressed confidence that the appointment of Mark Sedwill as UK’s special representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan would be helpful in promoting peace in the region due to his knowledge and understanding of both the countries acquired through serving in both countries during his diplomatic career.
Mark Sedwill apprised the Prime Minister about the working of his office regarding matters relating to Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said efforts would be made by international community to focus on stability and peace in Afghanistan in the post 2014 scenario as the region can not afford this country plunge into chaos again.
Correction: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of the article read "policy of non-interference" as "policy non-interference" in the headline. The correction has been made.
COMMENTS (28)
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Gilani has a policy of non-interference even for Pakistan :))
Pakistan must take steps to better its relation with the neigbouring countries. This is vital for the country and the future generations!
The year is yet over, but still I would give it as a best joke of 2011.
@pl/sql
Yeah and Pakistan has a permanent base on Planet Mars since 1900.
Actually, the base was established by Bin Qasim much earlier, it was only claimed by Pakistan in 1900 for reasons of strategic depth.
"Non interference" in Afghanistan is the way to go, we hope you are sincere about it and really would implement it. You are going to save a lot of heartache and financial resources if you stay true to your word!
Those funds need to be diverted to build educational institutions, providing health care and providing jobs to the People.
Policy of non-interference? Since when? Who created Taliban for the sole reason of controlling Afghanistan politically? Who has used Afghanistan as their own backyard for strategic depth?
There is a change in tone these days simply because the terrorism-oriented policies have backfired. You play with fire and you are bound to get burned sooner or later, right? I won't be surprised if a similar statement were issued about India too.
@Cautious: You have no idea what you are talking about... Keep in mind that Pakistan is the biggest home to Afghan refugees who run away from their own country. Pakistan has no interest in Afghanistan's affairs, except they do not want terrorists coming over from Afghan border to ours. Yes, there are lots of terrorist groups in Pakistan as well. They are operating here and belong to here, but Pakistan doesnt need anything from Aghanistan. And if you think the OBL raid was not an inside job, u have a lot to learn
Interference and helping a legitimate Government is not the same. Pakistan rightly supported and should support a legitimate Government of that country. What has happened recently is that Pakistan has helped USA to illegally occupy Afghanistan. The statement of non-interference would carry a weight if Pakistan stops the supplies going to US occupation army
Yeah and Pakistan has a permanent base on Planet Mars since 1900.
The proof of their sincerity in intentions has been failing to show where it's most obvious. Not what they say to the world and not what they say the military is currently doing in an area considered a war zone void of credible confirmation. Their true mindset is found in the reaction to the people of Pakistan getting killed and never putting any effort into following it up. Which has been happening enough in such ways that the world should have to hold them back from annihilating them rather than constantly having to nudge them and remind them of the circumstances. If they won't pursue people who commit mass murder on their own people, why should the world believe they're serious about anything but themselves and their bank accounts?
It is imperative that Pakistan develops good relations with all neighboring countries. This is a positive step for the trade around the country.
i agree with our Prime Minister's statement that a safe Afghanistan means a safe and healthy region. The international community should work together and plan a proper exit strategy.
I really do not know seriously. All of Afghanistan's neighbors (chiefly Pakistan and Iran), Russia and India indirectly and US straight in the face - are meddling in affairs of Afghanistan. So if Pakistan stops meddling, the problems will resolve automatically? I really don't think so. Mind you, I am not saying Pakistan should interfere, I think this is the worst policy that Pakistan's strategy makers have chosen but one should evaluate everything.
Taliban are a fact on grounds of Afghanistan which only the Afghan people can solve. They are not Pakistanis thought fodder for them comes a lot from Pakistan. The anti-Taliban elements are not angels, they are just as brutal and corrupt as Taliban are but minus the fact of imposing a theological state. Which apparently is a huge plus in their favour.
I think everyone of regional players should just leave meddling in Afghanistan. US should leave promptly. Call me a plain looney but I am all for a regional force (Pak, India, Iran, Russia through ex-soviet states) under the umbrella of UN should take charge. The forces should be a mix of nations military being lead by different army's military in-charges. This would create a better understanding of others and a collective effort to fight terrorism and promote peace would emerge.
Alas. If wishes were horses...
What about 'strategic depth'. Has it now become 'tactical shalowness'?
"Pakistan has a policy non-interference" At least the speech writer has a good sense of humour.
Pakistan has a long history of "non-interference" with the welfare of its own citizens as well with its own agencies operating overseas. I salute the "non interference".policy. I love it. Pakistan zindabad!
Pakistan's reputation will make one believe that this statement by the PM is another hogwash and try to please the international community by telling them what they want to hear. Unless there is a joint declaration by the PM and the Army chief after nailing all the terrorists in the AfPak border, this statement is difficult to believe
Who's he kidding? How does he tell it with a bold face? If you strain to hear you could hear the Generals giggling in the background.
Then it should stop meddling in Afghanistan by stopping NATO supplies which pass thru its territory.
Prime Minister really have to make a "policy" of "non-interference"??????? ......isn't it a tacit agreement ?
Pakistan is more interested in becoming the regional cop than protecting its own population. People in Pakistan are in dire need of healthcare, education, infrastructure and not the expensive war toys. Nobody believes the govt because the real power lies with the army.
May be Gilani's policy - not GHQ's. And the world knows who's policy matters!
Who cares about government policy is towards Afghanistan, we the people of Islamic Republic of Corruption would like to know what is government's policy to eliminate Corruption, Shortage of electricity and clean drinking water. I am asking ALL of our elected official to climb down from their Ivory towers and open their eyes just to see how an average person is struggling just to survive.
After all not all of us have the luxury to go into self impose exile
Manipulation of Afghan internal affairs has been a core strategy of Pakistan from it's inception -- perhaps an apology for that prior policy would help if anyone is going to believe that Pakistan has turned a new leaf. Further -- asking the international community for money to fight terrorism after the OBL debacle takes a lot of gall.