LOC17:01
14:01 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Oct 21 (KUNA) -- Pakistan Thursday said it has its own strategy
to deal with militancy and terrorism and that it was not pressured to launch
operation in the bordering North Waziristan tribal agency, where US has
intensified drone strikes recently.
"Pakistan has its own strategy to deal with militancy and terrorism and it
will do what will be in its national interests," said foreign office spokesman
Abdul Basit when asked about US demands for military operation in North
Waziristan at his weekly press briefing.
The spokesman said that Pakistan has already deployed 34,000 troops in
North Waziristan "and to say that Pakistan is totally oblivious of the
situation is not correct."
"Pakistan is doing whatever is required to be done," he said, adding, "if a
full scale operation is required, the country will not hesitate to initiate,
but its timing and scope will be determined in accordance with long-term
interests of Pakistan."
On peace dialogue with India, the spokesman said that nothing less than a
sustained and result-oriented dialogue to resolve the longstanding disputes,
including Jammu and Kashmir, can ensure peace and prosperity in the region.
The spokesman rejected claims of the Indian side that dialogue between the
two countries in July this year failed because of the non-cooperative attitude
of Pakistan. He explained that it was India's attempt to underplay Jammu and
Kashmir and other important and unavoidable issues that caused the impasse in
the meeting. (end)
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KUNA 211701 Oct 10NNNN