Saturday, April 26, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 19, 1429    

Strategy to eliminate terrorism starts paying dividends: Mukhtar
Pakistan, Japan to expand defence, trade ties

Staff Reporter

Rawalpindi—Federal Minister for Defence Chaudary Ahmad Mukhtar has said that Government was pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to contain and eliminate terrorism and negotiations with these elements have started paying the dividends and the security situation had witnessed a marked improvement since the formation of the new government.

The Minister said this while talking to the Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Seiji Kojima, who called on him here on Friday.

They also agreed to further promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, economy and defence for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

The meeting expressed satisfaction over the growing ties and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries. It emphasized to strengthen and broaden defence cooperation. The anti-terror efforts made by Pakistan also came under discussion at the meeting.

The Ambassador told the Minister that his country had resumed fuel supply to the Pakistan’s Navy ships which were taking part in the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan.

Chaudhry Mukhtar also told the envoy that the environment in Pakistan was investment- friendly and there were greater investment opportunities for the Japanese investors in various sectors.

The Minister stressed upon the envoy to bring Japanese industrialists and businessmen to benefit of the present environment and invest in textile, mobile and auto-parts sectors.