Pakistan defense minister says US policies in region have failed

Source:Xinhua Published: 2014-11-25 14:54:21

Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Tuesday that the American policies have failed in the region, calling for solution to problems in the region by regional countries.

The minister told reporters in Islamabad that the region is suffering from the US policies.

"The existence of lone superpower is the main cause of the problems," Khawaja Asif said. He said regional countries should find solution to their own problems instead of involvement of others.

He hoped that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's participation in the regional summit will help in "reduction of tensions" between Pakistan and India.

Although no meeting between Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi is planned on the sideline of the SAARC summit in Nepal on Nov.25-26, officials do not rule out any such interaction.

Asif said Pakistan wants good relations with India but Pakistan's quest should not be considered as weakness. He said the prime minister has expressed resolve to improve relations with India.

The minister said peace in Afghanistan is necessary for the stability in the region and Pakistan will have to play a role for peace in Afghanistan.

He said the military operation against the militants in North Waziristan tribal region is producing results. He said all groups are being targeted in the offensive without any discrimination.

"Operation will continue against the terrorists in the tribal regions," he said, adding that Pakistan's economy faces challenges due to its protracted war on terror.

The security forces launched a major offensive in North Waziristan in June and the military said nearly 1200 militants had been killed and their 400 hideouts destroyed. The military also said about 90 percent of the area had been cleared of the Pakistani Taliban and foreign militants.


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