Thaindian News

Islamabad, April 9 (IANS) President Asif Ali Zardari Friday expressed the hope that the recently concluded Pakistan-US strategic dialogue would help translate their bilateral relationship into a long-term partnership based on mutual respect and trust.
He expressed the view during a meeting with a US delegation led by Senator Thomas Carper of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Online news agency quoted a presidential spokesman as saying.

Matters relating to Pakistan-US bilateral relations, Pakistan’s role in the fight against militancy and terrorism and the regional situation were discussed during the meeting.

The president, while talking to the delegation, said that Pakistan appreciates the US understanding of its requirements and concerns during last month’s strategic dialogue between the two countries in Washington.

Zardari also called for working out a comprehensive mechanism to take the strategic dialogue forward in a result oriented, constructive and productive manner for deeper engagement in all the identified and agreed sectoral tracks. He hoped that the process of institutional connect will be enduring and productive.

Talking about regional issues, the president said Pakistan desires stability in the region and welcomes efforts by the international community in this regard.

He said the Pakistani nation and its security forces are committed to fight the menace of extremism and milita”cy.

“Pakistan, as a nation, has sacrificed more than any other coalition partner in this war both in terms of human and economic loss,” Zardari said, adding: “Pakistan looks forward to the support of the international community in the fight against militancy and overcoming economic problems.”

He also called upon the US to strengthen and enhance counter-terrorism capabilities of Pakistan’s security apparatus through provision of timely assistance and necessary tools and equipment.

The president, while appreciating the US government’s decision to withdraw the body screening of Pakistani travelers at the US airports, described it as a “good step in the right direction”, adding that the screening regime had hurt the sentiments of Pakistani nationals.

He also called upon the US to assist Pakistan in energy technologies to help the country overcome its energy crisis, on the one hand, and bridge the trust deficit between the two countries on the other.

Senator Carper lauded Pakistan’s efforts in the war against terror and said that US desired a long-term strategic partnership with Pakistan and would continue to support this in its fight against militancy as well as overcoming its economic problems.