Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Australia have agreed to evolve a mechanism to eliminate terrorism from the region.

This has been decided in a meeting held between National Security Adviser Nasir Janjua and Australian Ambassador for Counterterrorism Paul Foley PSM. The envoy, accompanied by acting Australian high commissioner to Pakistan met the adviser on Thursday.

The adviser said the government has resolved to purge the country from terrorists by adopting zero tolerance on terrorism and Pakistan will leave no stone unturned to achieve peace and security in the country.

The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations, regional and global trends of security and stability. The mechanisms of counter terrorism and cooperation also came under discussion.

Janjua briefed the ambassador on the phenomenon of emergence of terrorism in the region and Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts and its firm resolves to purge the region of the scourge of terrorism.

The NSA explained at length the significance of strategic stability of the region, nuclear restraint and balanced between India and Pakistan as well as the need for a balanced approach in view of the sensitivity in security architecture of the region.

Discussing Pakistan-Afghan relations, Janjua said that peace in Afghanistan is pre-requisite for stability and peace of the whole region. He reiterated that it is high time for Afghan government to stop the ongoing blame game as that is not helpful.

“Indeed both Pakistan and Afghanistan are required to put joint efforts against terrorism by adopting an effective and comprehensive counter terrorism strategy to save our coming generations. Overcoming these challenges both the nations need to belong to a shared future which is common and bright.”

He also highlighted Pakistan’s strategic location as a gateway for the region and a strong country of  the future in term of economic connectivity of the world. CPEC holds a greater economic integration of the World. He also briefed the ambassador on human rights issues in Indian-held Kashmir.

The ambassador discussed the Australian government’s counter terrorism strategy and priority for the region, especially Pakistan and Afghanistan.  He also acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts for the improvement of regional peace and expressed appreciation for implementation on the National Action Plan as an instrument for achieving sustainable peace in the region. The envoy said that Australia also looked at CPEC positively and will look forward to assess what opportunity would that offer to Australia.

Foley also expressed his condolences on the loss of life in recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan.