LONDON, July 24: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi forcefully defended here on Thursday Pakistan’s right to have its own strategy to combat terrorism, seeking at the same time international community’s assistance in improving the socio-economic lot of the tribal people and the counter-insurgency capabilities of Pakistan’s security forces.

Speaking at the International Institute of Strategic Studies on ‘Imperatives for Peace and Prosperity in South Asia—Pakistan’s Perspective’, Mr Qureshi made it clear that Pakistan would never allow foreign troops to enter Pakistan on any pretext.

He, however, hastened to add that Pakistan was open to suggestions and innovative ideas from its friends for meeting the challenges of terrorism.

He said Pakistan would engage in dialogue only with those people who renounced violence but would not talk to those who used the language of arms.

“We want to minimise the collateral damage and thus wean away from the clutches of terrorists those who want to get on with their lives and live in peace.”

He said Pakistan’s message to terrorists was clear and unequivocal—“We will not allow our territory to be used by terrorists and we will not be daunted by the threats of terrorism. At the same time, let me also make it clear that Pakistan will not allow foreign troops to operate inside its territory. Military action within our territory is the sole prerogative of the Pakistani armed forces.”

On the issue of US-India nuclear deal, Mr Qureshi said Pakistan was not against the deal, it only wanted a reciprocal US deal with Pakistan as well because “our country is as much energy deficient as India and we are as responsible a nuclear power as India is”.

He said he favoured increased trade and economic relations with India and thought the fear among the Pakistani business circle that Indian economy would swamp that of Pakistan’s once the doors were opened were now receding and they had now begun to realise that the two economies would benefit mutually by using their comparative advantages and complementarities.

Answering a question on the complaints of Afghan government, he said Pakistan was doing all that it could to control cross-border militancy.

“We have deployed as many as 100,000 troops and nearly 1,000 checkposts on the border but the other side has no significant deployment at the borders and no more than 100 checkposts. We proposed the use of biometric technology and the system of monitoring the vehicles which cross the border on daily basis, but so far the Afghan government has not agreed to these proposals.”

Answering another question, he said Pakistan had no plans to sell agriculture land to the Gulf investors who were looking around to enhance food security for their region.

“We want to lease culturable land not under cultivation to these investors. This land has not been brought under the plough because of huge capital required to make it productive. Pakistan will have the first right to the crops produced on these lands and any surpluses could be exported.”

The foreign minister began his maiden official visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday by holding substantive talks with British Opposition leader David Cameron at the House of Commons and later on Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears.

Briefing on the two meetings, Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said the minister briefed Mr Cameron on India-Pakistan relations, Pakistan-Afghan ties and informed him of the efforts the government was making to keep relationship positive.

Mr Qureshi also briefed Mr Cameron on three pronged comprehensive strategy of the democratic government to counter extremism and terrorism.

He urged support for Pakistan’s efforts to gain GSP plus status in the EU. Mr Cameron said he was looking forward to his visit to Pakistan from September 2 to 4.

In his meeting with Ms Blears, Mr Qureshi said one million strong British-Pakistan community is a useful linkage between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

The Communities Secretary spoke of the significant profile of British-Pakistanis in the British politics, parliament and in local government. She said there was a record number of 280 councillors of Pakistan origin, including four mayors and one deputy mayor.

Ms Blears told the foreign minister that she would be visiting

Pakistan from July 28 to 30 and would meet a number of parliamentarians in Islamabad.

She will also pay a visit to the Fatima Jinnah Women University in Rawalpindi.

According to the spokesman, she appreciated the role of British-Pakistan community in shaping linkages between the two countries.