Kasuri, Boucher discuss war on terror

ISLAMABAD—US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard A. Boucher, called on Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri on Monday and discussed Pak-US bilateral relations and regional issues of common interest.
Boucher’s visit is part of the regular high-level contacts maintained by the two countries. Both sides shared the view that steady progress was being made in the implementation of the Joint Statement of March 4, 2006 on Pakistan- U.S. Strategic Partnership.
It was agreed that due to these institutional frameworks the relationship was deepening and broadening in diverse fields. Both sides also exchanged views on counter-terrorism cooperation. Foreign Minister Kasuri reiterated Pakistan’s firm resolve to fight extremism and terrorism.
Kasuri said initiatives like Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) and FATA Development Plan would reinforce efforts to address the challenges like extremism and terrorism.
The Foreign Minister underlined Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. He also apprised the Assistant Secretary of his conversation with the Afghan Foreign Minister.
A senior US official held talks with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri on regional issues, bilateral relations and efforts to combat terrorism, the foreign ministry said.
Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard A Boucher and Kasuri “exchanged views on counter-terrorism cooperation,” the ministry said in a statement. The foreign minister reiterated “Pakistan’s firm resolve to fight extremism and terrorism.”
He underlined “Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan,” the statement said. Kasuri is to visit Kabul next month for talks on efforts to tackle the stepped-up Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.
Boucher’s visit follows Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai’s meeting with US President George W Bush in Washington in September amid a war of words between the two neighbours, each blaming other for not doing enough against the militants.
Pakistan, a key ally in the US led “war against terrorism”, helped a US-led military coalition to overthrow the hardline Taliban regime in Afghanistan in late 2001. It has arrested several senior Al-Qaeda members including Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, the alleged mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US.
The White House said Wednesday that it supported Pakistan’s deadly air raid on an Islamic school last week and praised Musharraf for showing “determination” to fight terrorism.—Agencies