.jpg)
Updated on
Summary
President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday said the monster of militants and extremists was created by the international community in the past to fight the rival ideology, it was their responsibility to help Pakistan in this fight and contain its negative fallout on the country.He said that non-state actors wanted to push sovereign countries to go to war. To guard against it, the international community needs to join hands, he said.The President was talking to General Jean-Louis Georgelin, Chief of Defence Staff French Armed Forces, who called on him at President House today.During the meeting matters relating to militancy and defence cooperation between Pakistan and France came under discussion.The President said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with France and stressed on comprehensive up-gradation of bilateral ties with enhanced trade, investments, sustainable market access and deeper mutual cooperation in other areas that could prove beneficial for both the countries.The French Chief of Defence Staff appreciated Pakistans role in the fight against militancy and the sacrifices of the armed forces and law enforcing agencies.Minister for Defence Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Tariq Majeed, Secretary General to the President Salman Farooqui, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar also attended the meeting along with senior officials of both the countries.French Ambassador Daniel Jouanneau was also present in the meeting.President Zardari on the occasion also conferred Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on General Jean-Louis Georgelin. The citation read during the conferment ceremony said that in recognition of his valuable contributions in promoting mutual understanding and goodwill between the armed forces of the two countries, the President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari is pleased to confer the award of Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) upon General Jean-Louis Georgelin Chief of Defence Staff French Armed Forces. PM for expansion of defence and economic ties between Pakistan and FrancePrime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani stressed the need for expansion of defence and economic ties between Pakistan and France and asked the French government for early provision of modern defence related equipments to help Pakistan in its ongoing military operation against terrorism. He said that Government of Pakistan is looking forward to the visit of French President to Pakistan next year and hoped that this visit would help in further bolstering the existing cordial relations between the two countries.The Prime Minister was talking to General Jean-Louis Georgelin, French Chief of Defence Staff who called on him at the Prime Ministers House this afternoon.While terming the peace and stability in Afghanistan as vital for Pakistans own national interest, he underlined the need for increased intelligence sharing and enhanced coordination between Pakistan and NATO/ISAF Forces for elimination of the rogue elements destabilizing both the countries. While highlighting Pakistan unparallel sacrifices in the war against terror, the prime minister called upon the international community to honour their pledges on urgent basis to help Pakistan in its efforts to address the root causes of extremism and terrorism through its reconstruction strategy. The Prime Minister asked the world to play its role and persuade India to resume the composite dialogue process to address all the outstanding bilateral issues including Kashmir dispute in the interest of regional peace of South Asia and thus enabling Pakistan to focus its attention on campaign against terrorism. General Georgelin highly lauded government of Pakistans unwavering resolve despite the heavy loss of lives and property as well as implications on its economic situation to continue fighting as the frontline state against extremism and terrorism. He agreed with the Prime Minister on meeting the needs of capacity building of Pakistans law enforcement agencies and assisting Pakistan in the reconstruction phase of Malakand and other areas in the FATA region. He assured the Prime Minister that France would positively consider Pakistans request for urgently required defence equipment, enhanced training facilities and sharing of intelligence to assist Pakistan at this critical juncture.
