US congressional delegation headed by Representative Todd Platts on Tuesday called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The delegation included Representative Stephen Lynch, Rep Glenn Thompson, Rep Tom Marino, Rep John Fleming, and Rep Jack Kingston. US Ambassador Cameron Munter and other US officials were also present.
Pak side included Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Interior Advisor Rehman Malik, Secretary General Salman Faruqui, Senator Sughra Imam, Defence Secretary Nargis Sethi, Acting Foreign Secretary Fouzia Sana and Additional Secretary Foreign Affairs Asif Durrani.
Pak-US bilateral relations, war against militants and overall regional situation was discussed during the meeting.
The president reiterated his call for the two sides to work closely for bridging the trust deficit, cooperating with each other on clearly defined parameters on the basis of mutual interest and respect.
He said Pakistan was committed to have a strong, sustainable and enduring relationship with the US that is based on the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, trust and mutual understanding and cooperation.
He emphasized that drone attacks were counterproductive and undermined the cooperative equation of the two countries.
The president also expressed hope that the US side would show greater understanding of the sentiments of the people of Pakistan who were greatly hurt by the incident of Slalah check-post.
Discussing regional situation, the president reiterated that a genuine reconciliation process in Afghanistan which is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned was the only viable solution to the Afghan conflict and all efforts should be focused on promoting an Afghan all-inclusive reconciliation process.
President for working closely with US
