Miliband says Pakistan is vital for Afghan solution

Jan 9, 2010, 11:16 GMT

Islamabad - Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Saturday that the progress in Afghanistan was linked to the success against rising Islamist militancy in Pakistan.

'Security, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan depend in some part on security, and prosperity and stability in Pakistan,' Miliband told reporters after a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad.

Tens of thousands of Pakistani troops are fighting well-trained and well-equipped Taliban and al-Qaeda guerrillas who launch attacks across the Afghan border on NATO-led international forces from the north-western rugged tribal region.

In retaliation for the military offensives in their heartland, Islamist militants have intensified attacks on government and civilian targets across Pakistan in recent months, killing more than 600 people over the last 10 weeks.

Miliband praised Pakistani sacrifices and termed the achievements against extremism 'significant.'

The British diplomat said his two-day visit of Pakistan was part of preparations for an international conference on Afghanistan to be held in London on January 28.

'Pakistan is a vital partner in finding solutions and progress in Afghanistan and that is why I am here,' said Miliband.

He said the London conference will consider Afghanistan's security, governance and development needs, and look into the contributions that the countries in the region could make to the security of Afghanistan.

Qureshi said the talks with Miliband cordial, adding that Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts and the progress made so far came under discussion.