Holbrooke to discuss Pak's cooperation in war against terror

Islamabad, Feb 9 (ANI): Pakistan will urge US special envoy Richard Holbrooke to adopt a regional approach to solve the prevailing issues of terrorism and extremism.

"We believe that not only Pakistan and Afghanistan, but the whole region is badly affected by terrorism and extremism and we hope that Ambassador Holbrooke would see the issue in the regional context," diplomatic sources said ahead of Holbrooke's visit to the region on Monday.

During his stay in Pakistan from February 9-12, Holbrooke would meet President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other senior civilian and military leaders.

According to the sources, he is expected to discuss cooperation in the war against terror during his maiden visit as special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan.

They said the policymakers in Islamabad had been disappointed when President Barack Obama had appointed Holbrooke as envoy for only Pakistan and Afghanistan and not the entire region.

"Pakistan was expecting a special representative with a broad regional mission to find peace and stability by involving not only Pakistan and Afghanistan but also India to solve the Kashmir issue," The Daily Times quoted sources, as saying.

However, they said, it was encouraging that Holbrooke would also visit India during his visit to the region and try to develop a fresh perspective on issues of peace, security, stability and the development of the region. (ANI)