Rooting out terrorism to remain Pak’s prime focus: Qureshi

THIMPU - Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that rooting out terrorism from the region has and will continue to remain his country’s prime focus.

Addressing the 32nd session of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) council of ministers, Qureshi said Islamabad is aware of its responsibilities and importance of regional cooperation for combating terrorism, trans-national crime, and drug and human trafficking.

Commenting on the regional water issues, he said it was important to develop a regional approach on water issues, including glacier melting, watershed management and pollution on an urgent basis.

Qureshi also stressed on the need for redoubling SAARC efforts towards energy security through sharing of indigenous sources of energy.

“Pakistan supports measures to secure sustainable supplies to meet the regional energy demand at an affordable price,” The Daily Times quoted Qureshi, as saying.

He highlighted that SAARC’s primary objective was to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region.

Qureshi added that Pakistan was looking forward to host the SAARC Interior Ministers summit in Islamabad from June 25 to 26 to devise regional strategies and collaborative approaches to address the international menace of terrorism. (ANI)