Holbrooke says US will review its policy on Pakistan

Islamabad, Feb. 10 (ANI): US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke has said that Washington will review its policy on Pakistan.

"The United States looks forward to reviewing our policies and renewing our commitment and friendship with the people of Pakistan," the Daily Times quoted Holbrooke as saying.

"As President (Barack) Obama's and Secretary of State (Hillary) Clinton's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, I am here to listen and learn the ground realities of this critically important country. I look forward to my continued consultations with leaders in Pakistan and in the region and will be reporting my findings and conclusions to President Obama and to Secretary of State Clinton upon my return to the United States." he said.

A US embassy statement released here after his arrival stated, "Ambassador Holbrooke will meet with elected officials, senior military leaders, and representatives of the private sector and civil society for consultations on a variety of bilateral and regional issues. Holbrooke will meet President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and senior military commanders before leaving for India on Thursday."

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Basit said, "We hope that our discussions would give him the perspective which we have, from Islamabad, on issues facing Afghanistan, Pakistan and our region as a whole. The Kashmir dispute has to be resolved fairly and peacefully. Unless it is resolved, you can't really have viable stability in South Asia."

According to sources, Holbrooke will seek to reduce tensions between Pakistan and India so that Pakistan can refocus its attention on its western borders. (ANI)