Pakistan, Argentina agree to reinforce defence, trade ties
ISLAMABAD, Sep 19 (UNI) Pakistan and Argentina have decided to reinforce ties in trade, economic and defence fields, officials said today.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting between Pakistani Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar and Argentinean Ambassador Rodolfo Martin Saravia yesterday.
''They also discussed the possibility of undertaking a joint venture in the area of defence,'' a Defence Ministry official said without disclosing the nature of the joint venture.
He added that it was agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of military training and education.
Mukhtar also spoke of Pakistan's role in the anti-terror war, saying the international community needed to acknowledge the country's role in the war on terror and should extend its support in stemming the tide of terrorism.
He said terrorism could only be defeated by addressing the root causes of the problem.
''We will have to alleviate poverty and provide economic opportunities as well as educational and health facilities to our people living below the poverty line,'' he said.
Pakistan says foreign forces not allowed to violate its territory ISLAMABAD, Sep 19 (UNI): Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi today said his country would not allow any foreign forces to conduct raids inside its territory.
His statement came two days after a fresh US missile strike in South Waziristan tribal region killed at least seven people on Wednesday.
The missiles were fired hours after US military Chief Mike Mullen met top Pakistani civil and military leaders here and reiterated respect for Pakistan's sovereignty.
''Our government has clearly conveyed its viewpoint to Admiral Mike Mullen,'' Mr Qureshi told mediapersons in the central city of Multan.
He added that Admiral Mullen assured Pakistani leaders of respecting Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Pakistan's tribal regions of South and North Waziristan have been experiencing missile strikes in the recent past, which killed dozens of people including some of the top foreign militants.
However, a September 3 cross-border raid by coalition troops in South Waziristan, a known hub of Taliban and Al-Qaeda fugitives was rare, killing 15 people.
Pakistan has been protesting over a wave of missile strikes attributed to US-led forces in Afghanistan in the recent months, which saw renewed incidents of violence, including suicide attacks and bomb blasts in Pakistan.
Qureshi said no external forces were allowed to conduct raids inside Pakistan and it was the sole responsibility of Pakistani forces to conduct operations.
He added that Pakistan was an American ally.
''The Foreign Ministry is trying to make its policy very clear to foreign countries about US missile strikes, which have been condemned at all levels of the government,'' he said.