FM urges US to support Pakistan on political, economic mainstreaming of tribal areas.

ISLAMABAD -- Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has urged on the United States to work with Pakistan as it politically mainstreams and economically develops the former tribal areas.

Speaking at an event of reputed American think-tank Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on 'Reframing the US-Pakistan strategic relationship' in Washington D.C late Thursday, the Foreign Minister said supporting economic activity along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border would benefit both sides.

FM Qureshi in a conversation moderated by CSIS President John J. Hamre, Senior Vice President Daniel F. Runde and Senior Adviser Seth G. Jones, touched several issues of regional and global importance ranging from Afghan peace, US-Iran standoff, Jammu and Kashmir situation and Pak-US bilateral ties.

Qureshi stressed that the recent tension between the US and Iran must not that put any negative impact on the peace process in Afghanistan, adding that "Having come this far, there should be zero-tolerance for any set-backs."

He said both Pakistan and the US had "shed too much blood and expended too much treasure" and now must "honor the memory of our fallen soldiers and countrymen by successfully accomplishing the mission in Afghanistan."

He said Pakistan had long argued that there was no military solution to Afghanistan with Prime Minister Imran Khan one of the first leaders in the region who consistently advocated a political route towards peace in Afghanistan.

Considering Afghanistan a shared responsibility, he said Pakistan was playing its role and warned the stakeholders to be vigilant against 'spoilers' as "not every country in the broader region wanted to see peace in Afghanistan".

The Foreign Minister called upon the US to ensure phased and orderly withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan to not repeat the mistakes of '80s.

"Continued international engagement for reconstruction and sustained development, would be pivotal," he said, mentioning its positive outcome for honorable return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan.

The Foreign Minister pointed out that Pakistan and the US must not remain hostage to the Afghan conflict and instead, take a fresh look to enrich their historic relationship by working together for Afghan peace.

"We want this rather unhelpful framework to change. Pakistan-US relations are too significant, and possess too huge potential to be confined to the Afghan prism alone," he said.

Qureshi said his recent visits to three capitals...