Pak can play 'pivotal' role in war-torn Afghanistan: Gilani

Islamabad, Apr.20 (ANI): Pushing for playing a 'greater' role in Afghanistan, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Islamabad can play a pivotal role in stabilising the war torn neighbouring country.

In an interview with French daily Le Figaro, Gilani stressed that a stable and peaceful Afghanistan was in Pakistan's own interest.

He said Pakistan cannot be sidelined while charting out a solution for the Afghan issue, and underlined that the leadership of both countries wanted a 'homemade' solution to the impending issues.

Gilani also clarified that Islamabad doesn't want to interfere in Kabul's internal issues, rather it wants to help its troubled neighbour.

"Pakistan did not interfere in President Karzai's elections," he said.

Responding to a question over the notion regarding the 'good' and 'bad' Taliban, Gilani made it clear that no such gradations can be made.

"The terrorists have no religion, they are enemies of the humanity and we are against them," Gilani said.

He also denounced reports that said Pakistan was not doing enough to crush militants flourishing on its soil, and claimed that the military operations in Swat, Malakand and South Waziristan were a huge success.

When asked about Pakistan-US' objectives in the war against terrorism,Gilani said: "We have common objectives, terrorism and extremism, and we want to work together with the US."

Commenting on Pakistan's long-standing demand of unmanned armed aircraft and concerns regarding drone strikes in country's ungoverned tribal areas, he said Pakistan had conveyed its concerns to the US, and the latter was looking into the issue.

"Our discussion is still going on but at the moment we are just discussing it and there is nothing concrete," Gilani said while responding to a question over Islamabad's consistent demand of a civil nuclear deal with Washington. (ANI)