WASHINGTON Foreign Minister Shah Mahmmood Qureshi said on Tuesday that the Swat peace deal is only a 'local solution to a local problem.'
Talking to the media after a meeting with his Afghan counterpart Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, the foreign minister insisted that the Swat agreement will not affect Islamabad's resolve to get rid of violent extremism.
'The logic behind this agreement is a local solution to a local problem, which is quick dispensation of justice. It is not any appeasement towards the militants,' he said.
The Pakistani and Afghan foreign ministers are in Washington to participate in an ongoing review of the US policy towards their region.
Director General ISI, Lt Gen Ahmad Shujah Pasha accompanied the Foreign Minister in the meeting with the Afghan delegation.
Mr Qureshi said Pakistan's determination and resolve to defeat terrorism is as sound as it was and Pakistan is absolutely clear in its objectives.
The foreign minister pointed out that Swat was a princely state which had its own judicial system before it was merged with the federation.
He said the demanded for a separate judicial system was a continuation of this tradition.
Mr Qureshi said through this arrangement Pakistan has addressed procedural difficulties. It is not a compromise, and there is no question of any capitulation. 'Pakistan will continue to do what it has to do in its own interest,' he added.
Mr Qureshi said he assured his Afghan counterpart 'that there is nothing to be apprehensive' about this arrangement.
Afghan Foreign Minister Spanta said the Afghan government has confidence in the leadership Pakistan.
He said he 'conveyed Afghanistan's serious concern' on the Swat deal to the Pakistani Foreign Minister, who informed him of the situation in the valley.
'We look forward to strengthening cooperation between the two countries to address the challenges, to address the menace of terrorism as a common enemy to stability and peace and prosperity of Afghanistan and Pakistan,' said the Afghan foreign minister.
