Islamabad, February 21: Stability and development in South Asia is not only important for Pakistan but for the world, said the Pakistani government on Sunday in response to US comments on the need for reform in the country.
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said on Friday that Pakistan is at risk of major instability which threatens the US-led war effort in Afghanistan and it should implement reforms and stop fomenting anti-American sentiment.
A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry replied to Mrs Clinton’s concerns by saying it’s in the world’s interest as well to ensure Pakistan remains stable.
“It is Pakistan’s considered view that stability, peace and development in the South Asian region is not only important for Pakistan but has global ramifications,” the ministry’s spokesperson said in a statement.
The ministry called on the international community to support Pakistan’s attempts to work with India and Afghanistan to promote stability and development.
It said Pakistan valued its relations with the United States and was cognisant of the need for greater strategic coherence, especially when a large number of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) troops and the international community were engaged on issues germane to Afghanistan.
The spokesperson said Pakistan had reached out to both Afghanistan and India to promote an environment conducive to stability and development. “It is imperative that the international community supports this endeavour.”
She said: “We applaud Secretary Clinton’s call to respect the principles of non-interference and non-intervention. The sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Afghanistan must also be fully respected.”
———Agencies