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Qureshi tells US to 'focus' on Afghanistan
The United States needs to focus on Afghanistan to curb a spurt in attacks by the Taliban as Pakistan has done enough to counter terrorism and extremism by breaking militant networks operating on its soil, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said. "We have got Al Qaeda on the run. To a great extent we have broken many networks in Pakistan and we have banned many organisations in Pakistan. What they (the US) need to concentrate on, in my opinion, is Afghanistan," Qureshi said. "Afghanistan should acknowledge that there have been serious failings on their side and they need to improve an effort, they need to improve the Afghan government on their side," Qureshi said in an interview with Al Jazeera news channel in Washington. Successes: Replying to a question about the US asking Pakistan to do more to counter the activities of Taliban and Al Qaeda militants, Qureshi said: "I think they (the US) should also recognise the successes that we have made. They should also realise the people that we have apprehended." Noting that there had been an increase in militant attacks across Afghanistan and not just in areas bordering Pakistan, he said this trend "cannot be blamed on Pakistan". "It is very easy to pass the buck. It has to be ownership. What we are not shy of is, if there is a failing on our part, we are willing to look at things and improve upon our strategy," he said. Posted by: Fred 2008-07-16 |
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