‘Pakistan, US keen to build strong relations’

• Former American officials, experts call on PM’s special assistant in Islamabad
• Fatemi calls exchanges with new American administration warm, cordial

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi on Friday said that the exchanges so far with the new American administration have been warm and cordial and that both the sides were keen to build a strong and mutually beneficial relationship to promote common interests and shared goals.

He was talking to a group of former senior US officials and experts on South Asia, including Ambassador Robin Raphel, Ambassador Richard Boucher, Tricia Bacon, David Smith and Michael Kugelman. The delegation is visiting Pakistan to participate in the second round of the US-Pakistan bilateral dialogue, organised by the Regional Peace Institute in Islamabad.

In welcoming the dialogue participants from the US, the special assistant thanked them for their contributions in promoting understanding and cooperation between Pakistan and the US. He highlighted the need for continuous dialogue and communication between the two countries in view of the importance of the relationship for both, as well as for promoting peace and security in the region.

All such dialogues provided a good opportunity to bridge the gap in perceptions in Washington on Pakistan and its policies and the changing realities on the ground. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with the US. He also briefed the US visitors on the important gains made by Pakistan in fighting terrorism, duly manifested in the improved security situation.

The upbeat assessments on Pakistan’s economic performance and prospects by international agencies and institutions and growing investor interest and confidence in Pakistan was a reflection of sound economic policies pursued by the government over the past four years, he said.

Regional Peace Institute Chief Executive Officer Raoof Hassan and former finance minister Hafiz Pasha were also present as part of the dialogue participants from Pakistan. Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq and former Inspector General Tariq Khosa also joined the delegation at the lunch hosted by the special assistant following the call.