Its Pak’s turn to ask US to ‘do more’: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD - Reiterating that Pakistan has done enough in the ‘war on terror’ and has successfully forced militants out of Swat and other tribal regions, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said it is now Islamabad’s turn to ask the international community, particularly the United States, to do more to help it fight against xtremists more effectively.

Addressing a regular press briefing here, Qureshi said Pakistan would ask the US ‘to do more’ in the ‘war on terror’ during the forthcoming strategic dialogue, which is scheduled to take place on March 24.

“Gone are the days when the US used to press Pakistan to do more. Now we are going to demand of the US to do more,” said Qureshi.

“Now we need more assistance to go ahead against the militants and extremists, therefore, we will ask the world, especially the US, to do more,” he added.

While admitting the prevailing trust deficit between Islamabad and Washington, Qureshi said the issue would be the ‘focal point’ of the upcoming deliberations, and said the White House must follow up word with action.

“I believe our forthcoming dialogue will provide a good opportunity to rebuild confidence and trust on both sides,” The Nation quoted Qureshi, as saying.

Qureshi and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are scheduled to lead talks in Washington. The strategic dialogue between the two countries is likely to focus on boosting the economy and security of Pakistan.

“The US needs to understand our concerns both in the realm of security and economic development and we hope it will do so,” Qureshi added.

Responding to a question regarding shifting of troops from the eastern border with India, he said Pakistan has infact shifted 140,000 troops to its western borders, and added that despite the move the country is not oblivious to what is happening on the Indian side.

“Pakistan doesn’t believe in arms race but it cannot close its eyes to large-scale weaponisation by India,” Qureshi said.

He also reiterated that Islamabad does not want talks for the sake of talks with New Delhi and wants the dialogue to be resulted oriented. (ANI)