June 07, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Sani 02, 1429

KABUL, June 6: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said here on Friday that Pakistan was not in talks with ‘terrorists’ but only with ‘peace-loving’ elements as part of a multi-pronged strategy to fight extremism.

Mr Qureshi met Afghan President Hamid Karzai and other officials amid concern in Afghanistan that Pakistan government’s dialogue with the Taliban would only lead to more attacks on this side of the border.

“We will not engage with terrorists…we will not compromise with terrorists. And those who would take up arms and guns are neither your friends nor our friends,” Mr Qureshi told a joint news conference with his Afghan counterpart Rangeen Dadfar Spanta.

“We are engaging with those elements that are peace-loving and want stability in their regions and want to live a normal peaceful life,” Me Qureshi said.

Pakistan’s new government launched the talks after the February elections. He said Pakistan believed it needed to adopt a more comprehensive approach to fighting extremism that included political engagement, socio-economic development and ‘when required’ military measures.

Mr Karzai told the visiting minister that Pakistan’s peace moves with Taliban could have ‘destructive’ consequences for both nations, and emphasised the need for a ‘strong fight’ against such groups, his office said.

Mr Spanta told reporters he had raised similar concerns.

“I informed Mr Qureshi of the very serious concerns of Afghan people and government regarding the peace initiatives between Pakistani government authorities and Pakistani Taliban,” he said after talks with his counterpart.—Agencies