WASHINGTON-
Advisor to Prime Minsiter on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif, discussed Pakistan-U.S relations with American lawmakers as they interacted with key members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the Capitol Hill Wednesday.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is one of the original standing panels of Congress that has been instrumental in shaping and influencing the U.S Foreign Policy.
Both the envoys thanked the senators for their consistent support to strengthen democracy in Pakistan, the Pakistani embassy said.
They emphasized the need to develop people-to-people contacts through trade and expanded economic links for building a mutually beneficial and a forward-looking relationship with the United States.
Aziz and Asif also briefed the senators on Pakistan’s efforts to seek improved relations with India and Afghanistan.
In this regard, they also updated the senators on the steps taken by Pakistan to facilitate reconciliation process and the U.S drawdown from Afghanistan.
Earlier, the Committee Chair, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and the Ranking Member, Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn) welcomed Advisor Aziz and Defense Minister Asif on the Hill. The American lawmakers briefed the senior Pakistani officials about the Committee’s role in the US foreign policy process.
The senators noted the immense sacrifices made by Pakistan in the global fight against terrorism. Pakistan’s cooperation in facilitating the US/ ISAF supplies to and from Afghanistan was also appreciated.
