0
ISLAMABAD, March 13: The Defence Minister of Germany, Dr Thomas de Maiziere, said on Tuesday that Pakistan could play an important and prudent role for the success of the ongoing talks between the US authorities and the Taliban for a lasting peace in Afghanistan.
“A durable Afghanistan is in the best interest of all its neighbouring countries, including Pakistan,” he told newsmen after signing a memorandum of understanding for enhancing defence cooperation between Pakistan and Germany with Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar at the Ministry of Defence.
He said the Afghan and Pakistani leadership also wanted the peace talks to succeed.
Responding to a question about resumption of Nato supplies, Mr Ahmed Mukhtar said a decision in this regard would be taken by parliament.
He said that a joint sitting of parliament would be held soon after the joint session which would be addressed by President Asif Ali Zardari.
About drone strikes, the minister said these attacks were not achieving their objectives because more civilians than terrorists were being killed in them.
On a question about the attack on Salala posts, he said German troops were part of Nato forces deployed in Afghanistan but they were not part of the group which attacked the Pakistani posts.
Defence Secretary Nargis Sethi, members of the German delegation and senior officials of Pakistan and Germany were present at the signing ceremony.
The German minister also called on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Khalid Shameem Wynne and Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.—APP
