 RAWALPINDI: Federal Defencce Minister Ahmed Mukhtar has said that US strikes are only helping militants in getting tribals sympathies.He said this while speaking to Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer who called on him here on Thursday Federal Defence Minister said Pakistan could fight the militants along its western borders only if situation remains peaceful on its eastern borders. Pakistan is fully determined to face the threats of terrorism, but added that international community should provide financial and technical assistance to Islamabad, he said. Mukhtar was of the view that extremists’ mounting influence in the tribal region could be reduced by offering employment opportunities to the tribal people. Talking about Pakistan-India tension, he said that Pakistan is itself a victim of terrorism, asking India to realize her position. Blame game, he said, would only escalate the already simmering relations between two countries. On this occasion, Nato Secretary General said that war against terrorism would benefit Pakistan as well as international community. In this regard, Nato is working closely with Pakistan, he said. About drones’ raids, he told that Nato has the mandate to hunt the militants inside Afghanistan’s territory only. |