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Islamabad: The recent suspension of military assistance would send a negative signal about Pak-US relationship at this crucial stage. This was stated by Chairman Senate while talking to a US Senate delegation who led by Senator Robert P.Casey called on him at the parliament house here today.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman said smooth flow and disbursement of Kerry-Lugar-Berman assistance for socio-economic signature project in Pakistan would be a substantive US contribution and would help improve its image. He further said, this should not be made conditional rather it needs to be accelerated.
The Chairman underlined the need of more frequent parliamentary exchanges between Pakistan and United States for their mutual advantage. He said the parliamentary contacts and exchanges are of utmost significance for strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing understanding between the two democracies, these exchange need to be institutionalized, he added.
While discussing the Strategic Dialogue Process, he said, it is in our joint interest to intensify bilateral engagements and to recommence the work for SDP.
While appreciating the US Congressional support for economic and security assistance to Pakistan he said, Pakistan considers its relationship with US as the most important component of its foreign policy.
He said Pakistan is against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We are victims of terrorism; we lost our great leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto at the hands of terrorists. We have lost thousands of innocent civilians and valiant personnel of the armed forces. Our sacrifices in this regard remains unmatched Terrorism has badly affected our economy and day to day lives, Pakistan is strongly committed to fight the menace of extremism and terrorism .he further added.
Senator Robert P. Casey and members of his delegation thanked the Chairman Senate and honourable Senators for warm welcome and reception extended to them at the Parliament House and assured him that they will make all possible efforts to further strengthen the friendly relations between Pakistan and United States of America.
On the occasion, the US Senators highly appreciated the efforts of Government of Pakistan, particularly armed forces of Pakistan in the war against terrorism.
The delegation included besides Senator Robert P. Casey, Chairman, Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Senator Michael Bennett, Member, Subcommittee on Security and International Trade and Finance, Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee; Senator Sheldon Whitehouse; and Senator Richard Blumenthal, Member, Armed Services Committee.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Chairman Senate, Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali, Leader of the House in the Senate, Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Moulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Senators Lt. Gen. (R) Javed Ashraf Qazi, Col. (R) Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, Abbas Khan Afridi, Raja Zafar-ul-Haq and Special Secretary Senate, Mr. Iftikhar Ullah Babar.
For more information, contact:
Public Service Obligation to Chairman
Syed Hasnain Haider
Senate of Pakistan
Tel: +9251 920 4564 534
Fax: +9251 920 5703
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2,
Islamabad.
Web: www.senate.gov.pk
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk