WASHINGTON: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal says Pakistan does not want any security aid, but recognition of the sacrifices it has made in the fight against terrorism.
In an interview with BBC, he said, “We don’t want any dollars, we want understanding and recognition of the sacrifices that Pakistan has made.”
He reiterated that Islamabad would not compromise its dignity.
Separately, talking to media in Washington, the minister said Pakistan wanted to maintain good relations with all its neighbours for the sake of peace in the region.
He said the United States attached importance to its ties with Pakistan because it believed both countries could play a good role for peace in Afghanistan.
He said the economy of the country was buoyant and the government was carrying forward China-Pakistan Economic Corridor successfully.
He said that foreign investors are evincing keen interest in the CPEC projects.
Iqbal said though government could not ignore the security challenges facing the country; but it was also not interested in arms race in the region.
He said that his visit to the US has helped highlight the point of view of Pakistan. Regional sovereignty should be respected and policy to pressure Pakistan will not prove successful, he warned.
He further said that international community could overcome challenge of terrorism through joint efforts and Pakistan was equally committed to curbing this menace from society.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Washington Post, the interior minister said that Pakistan and the US needed to take more steps to build confidence.
He said the solution to the Afghan conflict was not possible without close cooperation between Islamabad and Washington.
Iqbal said that Pakistan was taking actions against all terrorist groups without any discrimination.
