ISLAMABAD: Prime Minis­ter Nawaz Sharif, who will arrive in Washington this week on an official visit to the United States, has emphasised the importance of Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence and the sacrifices rendered by his country in the fight against terrorism.

The prime minister has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to honouring sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries.

Mr Sharif’s pre-departure statement on Monday confirmed the issues on the agenda of his talks with President Barack Obama scheduled for Thursday at the White House — nuclear, counter-terrorism and Pakistan’s problematic relations with its neighbours India and Afghanistan.

“Pakistan is a responsible sovereign nuclear state. Its strategic assets are secured under a foolproof arrangement. Pakistan’s nuclear status is deterrence against any external aggression.”

According to media reports, President Obama will discuss a proposal for integrating Pakistan into nuclear mainstream in return for curbs on its fissile material production and missile programme, besides talking about security of the Pakistani nuclear programme. But the Foreign Office had a day earlier refuted reports about such a bargain being discussed between the two countries.

Mr Sharif’s statement has refreshed those speculations about nuclear issue being one of the main agenda points.

The prime minister again spoke about it during his stopover in London on his way to Washington.

Pakistan has developed its nuclear programme under the country’s requirement… This is our position which cannot be compromised, Mr Sharif was quoted by APP as having told journalists in London.

Counter-terrorism is the other major agenda point.

President Obama had in a speech last week on the military mission in Afghanistan said that sanctuaries for the Taliban and other terrorists must end. Although Mr Obama had not specifically named Pakistan, the US concerns about the presence of Taliban and Haqqani network in Pakistan are well known.

The US acknowledges Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts, particularly the Zarb-i-Azb operation in North Waziristan, but says more has to be done with regards to the Taliban and Haqqani network.

“Pakistan has rendered unmatched sacrifices in the war on terror as a frontline state. Even now, Zarb-i-Azb’s success is a manifestation of Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to root out terrorism and extremism from each and every nook and corner of our country,” Mr Sharif said.

“We are fighting this war to not only ensure peace and prosperity of our country alone but also to make South Asia, and the region beyond, a hub of peace and development,” he added.

When US National Security Adviser Susan Rice delivered the invitation to Mr Sharif for the Washington trip, she noted that terrorist and militant attacks had developed into a key point of regional friction and called upon the government to address it for Pakistan’s relations with both its neighbours and with Washington.

In his statement, Mr Sharif said: “Pakistan honours the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all the states in terms of bilateral and multilateral relations as equal sovereign partners.”

The Foreign Office, meanwhile, said: “In recent bilateral interactions at high level, it has been agreed to broaden the conversation between Pakistan and the US and convert this partnership into a multi-dimensional mode.”

The prime minister’s visit, it added, would afford an opportunity to “further upgrade Pakistan-US relations to a long-term and enduring partnership for the benefit of the people of both countries and for the promotion of peace and stability in our region”.

PM Sharif is accompanied by Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and daughter Maryam Nawaz.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2015

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