Pak minister stresses need to improve Pak-Afghan-US ties

Islamabad, Apr 3(ANI): Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Iftikhar Hussain has stressed the need for restoring confidence building measures between Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States.

Hussain admitted the trust deficit between three countries has reached its climax, adding that international forces, particularly the US, provided training, arms and equipment to militants during the Russian invasion of Afghanistan.

He alleged that the US started attacking their own trained militants after the 9/11 attacks.

"We were against the provision of arms and training to these militants but no one listened to us and now whole world is suffering because of this mistake," The Daily Times quoted Hussain, as saying.

He stressed for the inclusion of Pakistan in the Afghan peace process because it was also a major stakeholder in the region.

Hussain said that the provincial government held successful negotiations with terrorists during military operations in Swat and Malakand because it believed that all matters could be resolved through negotiations without resorting to violence.

He said that Pakistan was passing through a very difficult time due to ongoing war on terror and urged the international community to assist Pakistan in every manner. (ANI)