Nato seeking long-term partnership with Pakistan: Rasmussen

ISLAMABAD: Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) said the organisation is seeking a long-term partnership with Pakistan, noting that Pakistan’s relation with Nato is not limited to Afghanistan only.

The  Nato  secretary general was speaking to the media in a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi during his first official visit to Islamabad. He further said that reports of al Qaeda’s presence in Pakistan are baseless.

Rasmussen said that Nato will not leave Afghanistan prematurely emphasising that a premature exit can result in a Taliban take over.

The Nato chief  held talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi focussing on promoting defence cooperation between Nato and Pakistan. He is also expected to hold talks with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani.