Summary US commended Pakistan's generosity for hosting million of Afghan Refugees.
Dunya News Report (Madiha Fareed)
The joint press statement issued after the sixth ministerial level US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue held on February 29th, 2016 stated that United States and Pakistan are committed to strengthen the multifaceted partnership across a range of critical issues.
The most important take-away from the joint statement is the recognition of Kashmir as a dispute. “United States and Pakistan emphasized the importance of meaningful dialogue in support of peaceful resolution of outstanding issues, including Kashmir”, said the joint statement.
The joint press release was delayed, as it was reported that both sides could not reach an agreement on some of the contents of the statement related to nuclear security.
The statement stressed that all parties in the region (South Asia) should continuously act with “maximum restraint” and work collaboratively toward reducing tensions. US appreciated the steps taken by Pakistan regarding the investigation of Pathankot attack and the detention of Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) leader Masood Azhar.
US commended Pakistan for its generosity for hosting millions of Afghan refugees and its continued efforts to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan. The both sides also pondered upon the urgency of the movement to bring sustainable peace in Afghanistan to end the long era of bloodshed and unrest.
The two sides emphasized the importance of strengthening Pakistan‘s capabilities to more effectively counter the threat of terrorism. United States reiterated that Pakistan’s prosperity is important for the region as well as to the United States.
United States and Pakistan resolved to work together to achieve the objectives of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 1540 regarding the prevention of proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) and their means of delivery to states as well as non-state actors, restating that both countries have supported and implemented the resolution.
The joint press release highlighted other areas of cooperation including the resolve of both countries to modernize Pakistan’s economy through better technology, improved business climate and increased opportunities for women. Regarding the energy crisis in Pakistan, US will collaborate with Pakistan on several new clean energy projects.
Both countries vowed to enhance and strengthen cooperation in the areas of education, science and technology under the rubric of new “US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor”. Advisor Aziz praised the US’ Merit and need based scholarship program for Pakistani students to study at the US universities.
United States praised Pakistan for its “proactive” engagement with the international community to harmonize its strategic trade controls with those of the multilateral export control regimes.
Yesterday Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz while addressing the members of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in Washington told the audience that military operations in FATA region has eliminated 90-95 percent of terrorist infrastructure in the border region including that of the infamous Haqqani Network. Mr. Aziz also held a meeting with US National Security Advisor (NSA) Susan Rice to review the current state of Pak-US relations and the needed measures to strengthen the strategic partnership between two countries.
In his opening remarks, Secretary John Kerry had asked Pakistan to realize that keeping a large nuclear programme “does not make sense” and that Pakistan needs to “process that reality and put it front and centre in its policy” .He also expressed hope that both countries will continue to discuss the obligations of being a responsible nuclear state.
Yesterday, Pakistan’s Finance Minster Ishaq Dar told the upper house of the parliament that “Pakistan will not cut back its nuclear arsenal even if the country’s debts mount up to $100 trillion”. He added that we didn’t start it to shut it down and it has helped prevent an armed conflict in the region.
It is indeed crucial for every nation on earth to “process that reality” in order to ensure a safer future. It is absolutely essential that the possibilitiy of armed conflicts be minimized and eventually eliminated for human race to progress and prosper.
