ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday conveyed Islamabad’s stated position on the Raymond Davis issue to a visiting US congressional delegation and stressed that the strategic relationship between both countries should not be made hostage to the Raymond case.
The US congressional delegation consisting of Senator Robert Corker, Senator Bernard Sanders, Senator Christopher Coons and Senator Joseph Manchin called on President Asif Ali Zardari and prime minister separately to convey US concern over the arrest of Davis and pleaded for his early release under the Vienna Convention. US Ambassador Cameron Munter also accompanied the US delegation.
Interestingly, neither the presidency nor the PM House mentioned the Raymond Davis issue in the official handouts, but government sources confirmed that the issue was taken up during the meetings. The president highlighted the economic situation of Pakistan and stressed greater world support by way of facilitating trade.
In his interaction, Gilani called on the US to ensure a balanced approach in the South Asian region, particularly between Pakistan and India, without any discrimination. The prime minister welcomed the positive messaging emanating from both sides since last week and emphasised that these should continue beyond the Davis incident.
The US delegates agreed with the prime minister that positive messaging would help establish trust and confidence between the two countries and no single incident should take the strong bilateral relations hostage.
