LAHORE Oct 23 (TNS): Founder Chairman of Pak-US Business Council and Vice President of SAARC Chambers Iftikhar Ali Malik Monday welcoming US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s key visit to Pakistan said Pakistan-US talks could lay foundation for a better ties and understanding between the two long time allies by resolving outstanding security issues regarding war against terrorism through result oriented fruitful negotiation.
Talking to media here today, the veteran trade leader Iftikhar Ali Malik said a positive change is being observed in US approach towards Pakistan after recovering of Canadian-US based couple from Taliban custody and he is much optimistic that a comprehensive and realistic approach will be adopted from both Pakistan and US to redress the key controversial issues concerning South Asia especially Afghanistan and India.
He expected that this tour would trim down the current tension level escalating between US and its old ally Pakistan on the issue of alleged harboring terrorists in the soil of Pakistan. He said dialogue is the only available vehicle to solve all outstanding issues and the two countries would stay engaged with a constructive approach to achieve shared objectives of peace, stability and economic prosperity in the region.
He said it is out of question that Pakistan is not sincere to eliminate terrorism from its soil. Pakistan has rendered innumerable sacrifices including this tragic reality that more than 75, 000 people lost lives in war against terrorism. “We have made our contributions, we fought a very difficult war, we suffered casualties and have suffered irreparable economic losses running in trillions of dollar and that is the message that Pakistan should send to the world leadership,” he said. “We are partners in the war against terrorism.”He said the Trump administration new policy towards Pakistan should be realistic and based on ground realities in view of Pakistani sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
Iftikhar Ali Malik said mistrust is the key issue between both the countries to normalize the relationship but the US policy makers should realize that Pakistan is inevitable partner if it wants durable peace in the region particularly in Afghanistan. “Steps should be taken from the both sides to remove this mistrust and skeptical of the intentions on each side and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson should play his role to diminish current tension between both the countries,” he added.
He ruled out the any possibility of military solution of the Afghan conflict and the efforts should continue for a regional approach for an internal political settlement in Afghanistan through an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process.
Iftikhar said that the US-Pakistan trade and economic partnership can be further expanded with renewed efforts of public and private sectors of both the countries. He also suggested that the American businessmen also come to visit Pakistan with a positive intention of investing in Pakistan as CPEC, a joint business venture between China and Pakistan is reflecting this opinion that Pakistan is the safe place for bigger investment.
