Gilani seeks US, UK role in Indo-Pak issues

The US and Britain should play a role in resolving outstanding issues between Pakistan and India so that this country can focus on operations against militants along the western border with Afghanistan, Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Wednesday.

Gilani made the remarks during a meeting with outgoing British High Commissioner Robert Brinkley.

He said his government wanted to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries "so as to fully concentrate on the western front and take the ongoing operations against terrorists and extremists to their logical conclusion".

The premier urged Britain and US to play "their role in this regard and for building the capacity of Pakistan's law enforcement agencies", said a statement issued by Gilani's office.

India put its composite dialogue with Pakistan on hold in the wake of last year's Mumbai terror attacks, which was carried out by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayiba.

In recent weeks, Pakistani leaders have called on the US and other countries to pressure India to resume the peace process.

At the same time, Gilani called on Britain and other members of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan grouping to "expeditiously deliver on their pledges" to help his government implement its policy to develop areas affected by militancy.

Pakistan has undertaken a comprehensive assessment of the needs of militancy-affected areas of North West Frontier Province and tribal belt and wants to "fast track the reconstruction of these areas on priority basis", Gilani said.

Brinkley told Gilani that Britain appreciated Pakistan's role in the war against terror. Britain will honour its pledges to support Pakistan and the amount committed for budgetary support will soon be disbursed, he said.