London: The challenge for Pakistan and India is to dismantle the militant cells so that they cannot hold foreign policies of the two nations hostage to their acts of terrorism, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said today.

Noting that there is a consensus among political parties of the two countries that peace must be established, Zardari said: "we also agree that a very serious danger to the peace process comes from militants and terrorists."

In a special vision statement read out at a conference on India-Pakistan - Designing a New Future organised by Indian media house Tehelka, Zardari said: "The challenge for us is to dismantle the militant cells so that they cannot hold the foreign policies of two independent nations hostage to their acts of terrorism."

"The PPP therefore welcomed the decision by both India and Pakistan to work together on anti-terrorism efforts and to share information in this regard as a positive step forward," he said.

Referring to the theme, "Democracy, Trade The War Against Terror" Zardari said: "We have to protect innocent people of our countries by both Pakistan and India working for the dismantlement of militant groups, the elimination of terrorism and the promotion of interfaith tolerance and harmony."

Noting that PPP has made trade, not conflict with India, a top priority of its relations with India, Zardari said "after 60 years of independence and mutual acrimony we must now pledge an end to war, terrorism, death and destruction."

Source : PTI