US-Pakistan ties should go beyond terrorism: Gilani
August 24th, 2011 - 1:05 pm ICT by IANSIslamabad, Aug 24 (IANS) Relations between the US and Pakistan should go beyond terrorism and cover areas of bilateral relations on a durable basis, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.
Talking to US Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the Armed Services Committee here, Gilani said Pakistan had suffered in the fight against terrorism and rendered more sacrifices in terms of civilians and troops’ fatalities than the coalition partners put together, reported Associated Press of Pakistan.
He said: “The success of military operation in Malakand Division stands out because the nation not only defeated the terrorists but also managed the return of more than two million IDPs (internally displaced persons) within two months to their homes with honour and dignity.”
Ties between Washington and Islamabad were hit after US undercover agent, Raymond Davis, fatally shot two Pakistanis in Lahore in February.
The ties were further strained after the May 2 killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad by US commandos.
The senator underlined the importance of bringing US-Pakistan relations on an even keel because both the countries were fighting the common enemy.
Gilani said Pakistan desired a sovereign, independent, and peaceful Afghanistan and supported an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of reconciliation in that country.
He said: “One wonders how terrorists dare go to Afghanistan without being spotted and eliminated by the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) and NATO forces which are equipped with the most advanced weapons.”
- Peaceful Afghanistan critical for Pakistan: Gilani - Feb 01, 2012
- Pakistan, US need to trust each other: Gilani - Aug 27, 2011
- Have a roadmap for Afghanistan: Gilani - Jul 21, 2011
- Pakistani PM hints at early elections - Feb 20, 2012
- It will take time to better ties with US: Gilani - Sep 01, 2011
- Pakistan is powerful, can safeguard national interest: Gilani - Aug 29, 2011
- 10 killed in U.S. drone attacks in northern Pakistan - May 17, 2011
- Zardari, US envoy discuss ties - Nov 30, 2011
- 'Afghan solution minus Pakistan won't be productive' - Sep 29, 2011
- Pakistan-US ties: Sherry Rehman meets Clinton - Jan 12, 2012
- Pak PM Gilani emphasizes constructive ties with U.S. - May 03, 2011
- Inconvenient US-Pakistan marriage being recalibrated: Daily - Aug 26, 2011
- Pakistan, US ties must go beyond counter-terror: Gilani - Oct 13, 2011
- Best way to end Pakistan's support for terrorist groups is to win Afghan war: McCain - Mar 16, 2011
- China hopes to see US-Pakistani ties improve: daily - May 18, 2011
Tags: abbottabad, armed services committee, bilateral relations, carl levin, coalition partners, common enemy, even keel, international security assistance, isaf international, islamabad, military operation, nato forces, pakistan relations, pakistanis, process of reconciliation, qaeda leader, raymond davis, senator carl levin, undercover agent, yousuf