Trilateral Confab Opens New Avenues Of Co-op: Pak. Religious leader

Islamabad, Feb 22, IRNA – Religious Pakistani leader on Tuesday said that trilateral conference of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan has opened new avenues of cooperation among the three regional states. Talking to IRNA, Chairman of Pakistan Defense Council (PDC) and chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Maulana Samiul Haq hailed the success of the conference. “If Pakistan wants to bring stability to the region then it must enhance cooperation with Iran and Afghanistan,” said the religious leader. Answering a question about the statement of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari that Pakistan will not allow Americans airbases to launch attack on its neighbor, Maulana Samiul Haq said that it is the obligation of Pakistan to stand by Iran in difficult times. The religious leader welcomed the visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Pakistan to participate in the conference adding that the visit showed that Pakistan is not alone. Terming US as the biggest enemy of the regional states, Maulana Samiul Haq said that US is trying to create misunderstanding between Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. “Afghanistan will become the graveyard of the United States,” said Chairman of Pakistan Defense Council (PDC). Maulana Samiul Haq expressing his views said that Pakistan Defense Council wants expulsion of US from the region. “Closure of Nato supply route is a major step in this regard,” he noted. He praised the determination of Iranian leadership in making Iran a powerful country rejecting American pressure. “Leaders of Pakistan should follow the footsteps of Iranian leaders against the American pressure,” he advised. The religious leader said that the defense as well as sovereignty of the country was the major concern of all Pakistanis. He strongly believed that US drone attacks on Pakistani soil are open violation of the country's sovereignty. Chairman of Pakistan Defense Council (PDC) added that Americans are making all out efforts to destabilize Pakistan. “They are killing innocent people of Pakistan without any justification,” The religious leader added. Maulana Samiul Haq strongly rejected Israel’s accusations against Iran terming them unacceptable. “Israel and US are the biggest liars and will not be able to accomplish their evil designs against Iran,” opined the religious leader.