'Marshall Plan' needed to root out militancy from Pak, Afghanistan: Zardari

Islamabad, Mar.11 : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has urged the international community to come up with a 'Marshall Plan' for the region to help both Pakistan and Afghanistan root out militancy from their respective territories.

Talking to a selected group of media persons on the sidelines of a dinner hosted in the honour of visiting Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Zardari said both Islamabad and Kabul must stand together to persuade the international community to help both countries fight out extremism.

"The two countries need to speak the same language at international forums because both suffer from the same malaise caused by the same mindset of militancy and extremism," Zardari said.

Underlining that there is no 'quick-fix' solution to terrorism, Zardari said Pakistan is prepared to fight militancy to the end.

Karzai also called for a partnership between both countries and urged for a better trade and economic links.

Karzai, who arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday evening, is likely to meet Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and other top officials during his stay.