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Pakistan, SCO to enhance cooperation against terrorism

Posted on: Thu May 20, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday underlined the need for increased cooperation between Pakistan and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), especially in intelligence sharing and enhancing of capacity to fight terrorism.

The foreign minister was talking to Jenishbek Muhamedkarimovich Jumanbekov, Executive Director, Regional Counter Terrorism Structure (RCTS) of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) who called on him. Matters of mutual interest, especially Pakistan s growing cooperation with the SCO, came under discussion.

Qureshi said Pakistan fully endorsed the aims and objectives of the SCO and, accordingly, had been actively participating in its activities as an observer.Pakistan was confident that it would get full membership of the organisation as soon as its procedure and criteria were finalised by the SCO, he added.

The foreign minister added that Pakistan was fully committed to the SCO. The president was keenly looking forward to attending briefing by the executive director on Pakistan s counter-terrorism efforts, Qureshi said adding that Pakistan s policy vis-i-vis terrorism was clear and based on principles.

 Pakistan rejected terrorism in all forms and manifestations. It is against providing sanctuaries to terrorists and it would never allow its territory to be used for terrorist actions anywhere in the world, he added.

The foreign minister emphasised that terrorism was a global issue and in order for the world to address this scourge effectively, sustained cooperation was essential at all levels. The executive director said that the international community acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan s determined efforts against terrorism and fully supported its strategy to root out this menace.

He also briefed the foreign minister about the work being done by the RCTS.He said Islam is a religion of peace and that it abhorred terrorism and extremism. He expressed the hope that Pakistan and the SCO would further strengthen their cooperation in the months and years ahead to combat terrorism.

Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Islamabad Bakhitbek Shabarbayev also attended the meeting.The executive director also called on Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday and pledged his support to counter terrorism. The SCO delegation lauded the efforts of the government, particularly the interior ministry to eliminate terrorism from the country.

The delegation assured cooperation in efforts against terrorism and that it would extend all possible assistance to do away with Uzbek militants in Pakistan.Malik apprised the delegation of the steps being taken to eliminate terrorism from the country and said the whole world appreciated Pakistan s efforts.

 Courtesy : The News