Thaindian News

Washington, April 19(ANI): US House Speaker John Boehner has called for “mutual interests and mutual respect” between Islamabad and Washington during what he termed as “frank and productive” discussions with Pakistani leaders.

Boehner led a six-member congressional delegation to Pakistan, which met with key civilian and military leaders- including Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani- and US Ambassador to Islamabad, Cameron Munter.

The delegation also visited the 11th Corps Headquarters in Peshawar to discuss the Pakistan military’s security challenges as it engages in the fight against extremism and terrorism.

“A strong U.S.-Pakistan relationship is vital to the interests of both of our countries. We had frank and productive discussions with Pakistan’s civilian and military leaders. While the relationship between our two countries has seen its challenges, we discussed the importance of working through these issues and renewing our partnership based on mutual interests and mutual respect,” Boehner said in a statement on the delegation visit.

He also paid tributes to Pakistan’s sacrifices in the ongoing war against terrorism, and lauded Gilani’s hospitality towards the US delegation.

“We recognize that the Pakistani military and the Pakistani people have made great sacrifices in recent years in the struggle against extremism and terrorism. Al Qaeda and its extremist allies have made Pakistan a target, and the Pakistani nation has suffered deeply as a result,” Boehner said

“We appreciate the efforts of the Pakistani military and the sacrifices of those troops and the Pakistani people. We also appreciated the hospitality of Prime Minister Gilani and pledge to continue working together on behalf of our countries,”he added.

Other members of the visiting delegation were Republicans Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Mike Conaway (R-TX), Tom Rooney (R-FL), Joe Heck (R-NV), and Dan Boren (D-OK). (ANI)