Pakistan today asked the US to work closely with it to ensure that Washington's new policy for Afghanistan, including a troop surge, does not affect Pakistani interests and security.
"Pakistan looks forward to engaging closely with the US in understanding the full import of the new strategy and to ensure that there would be no adverse fallout on Pakistan," foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit said.
The foreign office was reacting to US president Barack Obama's announcement that the US intends to send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, taking the total number of American soldiers there to 100,000, and that deployments will be scaled back from July 2011.
Pakistan's top leaders have expressed concern over the past few months that the deployment of additional US troops in Afghanistan could prompt Taliban fighters to sneak across the border to seek refuge in Pakistani territory.
They have insisted that the US should work closely with Pakistan in framing and implementing any new policy for Afghanistan.
Basit said, "Pakistan and the US need to closely coordinate their efforts to achieve shared objectives. There is certainly the need for clarity and coordination on all aspects of the implementation of the strategy."
Pakistan has "taken careful note" of Obama's new Afghan strategy, Basit said.Basit said: "President Obama has correctly mentioned that the struggle against violent extremism extends well beyond the region. Pakistan is committed to uprooting
terrorism from our region and in advancing the cause of peace and stability in Afghanistan."
Islamabad welcomed Obama's "reaffirmation of the partnership between the two countries built on a foundation of mutual interest, mutual respect and mutual trust" and American support for Pakistan's security and prosperity.
Obama also spoke with Pakistan president Asif Zardari on phone yesterday to brief him about the new Afghan policy.
Obama "recognised the profound sacrifices Pakistan has made in its efforts to combat extremists in its northwest and emphasised that our goal is to defeat Al Qaida and to ensure stability in the region", said a statement from the US embassy here.
The two Presidents agreed that the close partnership between their countries "is vital to success". Obama also promised to continue to assist Pakistan in its efforts against extremists, the statement said.
In his speech that outlined the new Afghan policy, Obama said Al Qaida and Taliban had established "safe havens" in Pakistan.
He described Afghanistan and Pakistan as "the epicentre of violent extremism practiced by Al Qaeda". Obama said: "In the last few months alone, we have apprehended extremists within our borders who were sent here from the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan to commit new acts of terror. And this danger will only grow if the region slides backwards, and Al Qaida can operate with impunity."
However, Pakistani leaders have reacted angrily to claims by the US administration that their country has not done enough to track down Al Qaida leaders and the Taliban 'shura' or council operating from the southwestern city of Quetta.
Pakistan has denied that al Qaeda or Taliban leaders are operating from its territory and asked the US to share information on their whereabouts.
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