Pak to attain objectives in Waziristan earlier than expected: FM

Pakistan is likely to achieve the objectives set for the military operation launched in South Waziristan to clear out extremists and terrorists from the areas, earlier than anticipated, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi stated while talking to the International News Agencies including AFP, Reuters, AP, soon after his arrival in Kuala Lumpur, for his 4-days stay in Malaysia to attend the D-8 Council of Ministers. Foreign Minister said that the Army operation launched in the South Waziristan is moving ahead with desired pace and many key towns and areas have been cleared of miscreants, terrorists and extremists. He said that the Armed Forces of Pakistan were performing exceptionally well and might achieve the objective set for the operation, before winter sets in. Replying to a question, he said, however, it would be difficult to give the exact timeframe for completing the military operation. The Foreign Minister, replying to another question said that the democratically elected government of Pakistan has been successful in achieving national consensus to launch this operation and having public opinion on its side, the government is confident to achieve the desired results. He said that democratically elected government of Pakistan was following a three prong policy in the areas which include 3-Ds .i.e. Dialogue, Development and Deterrence. He said that the right combination of these three elements of the policy, would ensure success of the operation and would pave the way to bring about permanent peace in the region. While replying to the recent visit of the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Pakistan, he said that the purpose of the visit was to get input from Pakistan for the US policy on Afghanistan which was being reviewed by the US government to make it more effective and result oriented.