US supports Pakistans security, territorial integrity

The United States fully supports Pakistan’s security and territorial integrity and both the Republican and Democrats were against the resolution tabled by an individual on Balochistan.The views came at a meeting of US Congressional delegation led by Congressman David Dreier Chairman, House Democracy Partnership and Chairman House Rules Committee who called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani here at the PM House.Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and visiting Congressmen agreed on Thursday that the trust deficit between the two countries should be removed, officials said.The Congressmen said that the US Congress and Pakistan’s Parliamentarians can play an important role in this regard, a statement from the PM office said.The U.S. delegation is visiting Islamabad at a time when relationship between the two allies in the anti-terror war is at lowest ebb.The relations were further hit this month when a resolution was moved in the U.S. Congress, seeking independence for Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province.The Prime Minister also conveyed serious concerns about the Balochistan resolution tabled by an individual US Congressman, the statement said.The Congressmen categorically told Prime Minister Gilani that both the Republicans and Democrats as well as the US Government were against the resolution tabled by an individual at the Sub-Committee level. US supported Pakistan’s security and territorial integrity, it said.“The Congressmen expressed support for the Government’s policy aimed at economic development, addressing the needs of education, health and providing employment to the people of the country”.The Prime Minister drew the attention of the Congressmen to the unilateral action such as the drone strikes which were unacceptable and counter productive. So, there was need for deep discussion to overcome this created by such strikes, the Prime Minister said.The people of Pakistan expect US to be mindful and respectful of Pakistan’s national interests and in particular Pakistan’s security and territorial integrity.The Prime Minister said that Pakistan wanted to have excellent relations with US and it was important to follow a partnership approach based on mutual interest and mutual respect, the statement said.“The Prime Minister said that Pakistan had made numerous sacrifices in the war against terror. The whole nation is united and democratic government has given political ownership to the anti-terrorism campaign”.They also agreed that trade not aid was the way forward to economic development, promotion of education and poverty alleviation enabling them in combating the root causes of extremism and terrorism.The Prime Minister emphasized the need for making mutually acceptable strategy to achieve shared goals. He emphasized that the military solution does not provide a permanent solution. Pakistan, therefore, supported the political process leading to political settlement in Afghanistan.The Prime Minister said it was discussed in details with Afghan President during his recent visit to Islamabad. It was important that Afghanistan, Pakistan and US were on the same page and worked together to promote mutually national reconciliation, peace and stability in Afghanistan.The U.S. Congressional delegation led by Congressman David Dreier, Chairman, House Democracy Partnership and Chairman House Rules Committee, highly appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in consolidating democracy, civilian governance and rule of law in Pakistan.