Pak will launch NWA operation at own discretion, not under external pressure: Qureshi

Multan, Oct 31 (ANI): Pakistan would not give in to any external pressure, and would itself decide on any operation in North Waziristan keeping in view its requirements, resources and priorities, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said.

Talking to journalists at the Multan Airport, Qureshi said there was no external pressure on Pakistan for launching an operation in North Waziristan, and added that the whole world had acknowledged the nation's sacrifice in the war on terror, the Daily Times reported.

To a question regarding the US' 'do more' demand, he said that Pakistan was making sincere efforts in the war and had made numerous sacrifices. "Our people and even shrines are being targeted by terrorists," he pointed out, adding that the two sides should move forward in the context.

On the Pak-US strategic dialogue, the foreign minister said that the US administration had decided to provide the five-year security assistance to Pakistan to fulfill its defence requirements.

On civil nuclear assistance, Qureshi said, "Energy is our requirement and we have conveyed our desire of a civil nuclear agreement. There should be no discrimination on the civil nuclear programme. We also want to move forward in the direction."

Regarding the ongoing Afghan reconciliation talks, the minister said that Pakistan, being a neighbouring country, was ready to help the Afghan government if it sought its help.

He also said that groups who were fighting against each other in Afghanistan were locals with different ethnic backgrounds and ideologies.

"If the groups are willing to hold talks for peace, Pakistan is ready to help the process leading to peace and prosperity in Afghanistan," he added. (ANI)