Pak no longer a 'terror safe haven': Qureshi

Washington, Mar.28 (ANI): The Pakistan Army's successful operation in the tribal regions has forced Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants to flee and the country is no longer a terror safe haven, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said.

Speaking on the Charlie Rose Show on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Qureshi said the Pakistani security forces have flushed out extremists from the country, and have prevented militants from crossing over to Pakistan from Afghanistan.

"Our operations have curtailed the border crossings. Today, the Taliban and al Qaeda and their associates are on the run. Pakistan was once considered to be a safe haven. No longer," Qureshi said.

He said that many top extremist commanders, who had taken refuge in Pakistan, are now trying to flee to other countries such as Yemen and Somalia.

"Washington recognises that many of the big names have escaped and they're looking for new destinations," Qureshi said without mentioning any names of 'big' militants.

Commenting on the recent strategic dialogue between the US and Pakistan, he said the relationship between both countries has improved considerably over the last 18 months.

"We have covered substantial ground in narrowing the trust (gap), in converging our interests, and today I think we are speaking on the same page. What President Barack Obama just said in the last 48 hours, I was working on that, trying to convert this relationship into a partnership," The Daily Times quoted Qureshi, as saying.

Referring to his series of meeting with US Senators, Qureshi said there has been a huge shift in the Capitol Hill's attitude towards Islamabad. (ANI)