Pak-US ties should be based on mutual respect: Zardari

President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said that for long-term and sustained Pak-US ties, it was important that the relationship is based on transparency, mutual respect and mutual interest and is authenticated by the true representatives of the people.
During his meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides at the Governor’s House, the president said that Pakistan attached great importance to its relationship with the US and the two countries have mutuality of interests to pursue. He said that the government was awaiting completion of the parliamentary review process to reset the ties. Zardari said that the democratic process may seem to be long and noisy but should be valued for being lasting and fruitful.
Nides said that the US recognises Pakistan’s role in the fight against militants and wanted to restore multifaceted cooperation and relationship with Pakistan. He said rebuilding the trust and confidence between the two countries was essential for pursuing common objectives. Nides said that US respected the parliamentary review process in Pakistan and looks forward to its early completion. The president emphasised that drone attacks were counter-productive and violated the country’s sovereignty. He said that civilian casualties as a result of drone attacks caused deep resentment and fueled extremism and militancy.
Discussing the situation in Afghanistan, Zardari said that narco-trafficking and narco-financing were among the major challenges that needed to be tackled urgently. He said that the international community and NATO/ISAF should address the issue of drugs and eliminate the funding source of militants. The president said that it was important that an incentivised framework is developed to attract multinationals to make investments in Afghanistan and the region.
Separately, the president urged party parliamentarians and office-bearers to reach out to the people of their respective areas and enhance contacts with voters in preparation of the next general elections. The president said that achievements of the PPP-led government would speak in the next elections and the party will once again win elections, the negative propaganda by its detractors notwithstanding.
The president was addressing a meeting of the PPP Punjab Parliamentary Party at the Governor’s House. The party parliamentarians expressed their views on host of national and political issues, including reorganisation of the party, preparations for the next general elections and development issues in their respective areas. They reposed full confidence in the leadership of Zardari and the government of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani.