Islamabad, May 1: Ruling out unilateral withdrawal of its troops from Siachen, the world's highest battlefield, Pakistan Tuesday sought greater trust with India.
“What is important is not just withdrawing troops but that the withdrawal happens when both countries trust each other,” Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said while speaking at her alma mater, the Lahore University of Management and Sciences (LUMS), yesterday.
The Kashmir issue is still a hurdle in improving ties between India and Pakistan and the time had come to “determine how to resolve” it, she said.
Asked about Pakistan's ties with its neighbours, Khar was quoted by The Express Tribune as saying that it was in the country's interest to establish peaceful relations with each of its neighbours.
Any instability in neighboring countries would result in a "spill out" effect that would affect the region, she said.
Replying to a question about the role Pakistan will play in the Afghan peace process, Khar said that "if asked to be a party" to an Afghan-led reconciliatory process, Islamabad will assist in whatever capacity possible.
Khar had a simple solution to foreign policy problems, saying that "in pursuing its goals and objectives, Pakistan wants to be a responsible global player."
Asked about US Special Envoy Marc Grossman's talks with army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Khar said the meeting should not cause any undue concern.
Every national institution, including the General Headquarters, is a stakeholder, she said.
Discussing "the role of foreign elements" in the unrest in Balochistan, Khar said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had raised the issue with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh during a meeting at Sharm el-Sheikh.
However, it is necessary for Pakistan to become "strong internally" to resist threats from external elements, she said.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 1 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 1 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 2 May 2012 00:00:00 IST