Pakistan wants equity-based relationship with US: Sherry Rehman

Pakistani ambassador to United States, Sherry Rehman has said that Pakistan wants transparency, consistency and predictability in the relationship with US. Mutual respect and partnership has to be the basis of this relationship, she stressed during a dinner meeting hosted in her honour by the Pakistani journalists in Washington, DC area.While urging the need to institute parliamentary oversight in everything, she said that decision are being taken in a purely democratic manner while keeping national interest in the foremost instead of taking decision on a phone call like before, hinting to the relationship with US during the Mushrarraf era.For the first time in Pakistani history, parliamentary strategic review with relations to US is in process, she said observing that it would be better to wait for the recommendations before jumping to any pre-conceived conclusions.At present, we are waiting for the recommendations of parliamentary review to be forwarded to the US by the Pakistani government. I also have to wait for the recommendations of parliamentary review before making policy pronouncements, she argued.In her first media interaction since taking-up the tough assignment in Washington, she said we want good relations with the US but on an equal basis, and the entire country is on one page about it. Respect is the first principle of a partnership and we expect the same from US, she reiterated.We want trade not aid, and the US should give us preferential trade status as well as a level playing field like other countries, she demanded adding that Pakistan had much to benefit from the relationship, if the priorities could be set right.In an obvious reference to the general mood against Pakistan in the US administration, she said it is election year in the US where getting attention on Pakistan could be focused. During such junctures, foreign policy becomes the first causality, she rued. She, however, also conceded that run-up to elections has also started in Pakistan and democracy is flourishing.On the US demands to do more, she said that Pakistan had been the worst victim of terrorism. We dont want to go in victim narrative but our sacrifices during last 10 years and even before that should also be respected, Sherry observed.On the question of Afghanistans future and the ongoing efforts to achieve peace through reconciliation, she said that Pakistan is concerned about the troops withdrawal of US from Afghanistan, and hopes that it will be responsible.Pakistan has stakes in Afghanistans peace and irresponsible withdrawal of US will make Pakistan the first victim, she opined and stressed that Pakistan wanted to foster good relations with all its neighbours including India and Afghnaistan.Having arrived in the US capital to replace Husain Haqqani, who became a victim to the memogate scandal, Sherry thanked President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani for trusting her with a tough assignment. She assured to give it her best shot with the help of Pakistani expatriate community.- Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in Washington, DC