Islamabad: Days after launching a major offensive against the Taliban, Islamabad on Friday said that regional stability is closely linked to peace in Pakistan and Afghanistan and sought cooperation of all countries in dealing with the menace of terrorism.
"We believe that if peace in Pakistan or Afghanistan is disturbed, peace in the region will be endangered," Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told reporters on the sidelines of a religious function at a shrine in his hometown of Multan.
Terrorism is a regional issue and Pakistan wants the cooperation of all countries to tackle the menace, Qureshi said. "We seek everyone's cooperation and are convinced that they will fulfill their responsibilities," he added.
The operations being conducted by the Pakistan Army and paramilitary forces are aimed at re-establishing the writ of the government, he said. "We are achieving success at a quick pace," he said.
Qureshi's comments came as Pakistan's senior-most military commanders pledged to extend maximum support to the government in tackling militancy with a policy of "zero tolerance."
Over 140 militants have been killed since Pakistani troops launched an operation against the Taliban in Dir and Buner districts near the federal capital following intense pressure from the world community, especially the US.