Pakistan, US Working for Global Peace, Progress: Shaukat Aziz
'Pakistan Times' Staff Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Saturday said Pakistan and US are working together for the cause of global peace and progress.

Pakistan welcomes the growing strategic partnership between the two countries, he said while talking to Dr. Nisar A. Chaudhary, President of Pakistan American League, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House here.

“We are committed to combating extremism and militancy in the world. Both the countries need to work together to reflect on the root-causes of extremism and militancy so that we have a peaceful environment in the region and the world,” the Prime Minister added.

He said the United States has assisted Pakistan in various fields including financial assistance, supply of defence equipment, development projects and capacity building in areas of education, healthcare and social services.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan desires good relations with all major powers of the world including the United States and added Pakistan is also working closely with various countries of the world to assist Afghanistan in having peace and reconstruction there.

The United States-Pakistan partnership in this regard is important for all the stakeholders, he added.

The Prime Minister appreciated the role of Pakistani Americans in the United States in building bridges within the administration, legislatures and members of the civil society.

They have played a very important role in projecting Pakistan’s image and viewpoint in its true perspective in the United States, he said.

He appreciated the efforts made by the Pakistan American League to promote better understanding and improving relations between the two countries.

Dr. Nisar Chaudhary highlighted various initiatives taken by the Pakistani community in the United States including interactions with the media, think-tanks and the legislators.

Boucher to Visit Next Week

'Pakistan Times' US Bureau adds from Washington; Pakistan is a close strategic ally in wide-ranging areas and top American official for South Asia, Richard Boucher will visit the country next week as part of regular consultations in the region, the State Department said.

“Pakistan is an important strategic partner on a broad range of matters - education, economic investment, counternarcotics, security and counterterrorism. We appreciate the Pakistanis’ sacrifices in confronting extremists and fighting terrorist threats,” a State Department official said while confirming Boucher’s visit to Pakistan.

Boucher, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, will have meetings with Pakistani officials, civil society members, political parties, etc to “discuss political developments, regional security and counterterrorism cooperation,” the official added.

“The visit is part of regular consultations in the region,” the US official said, adding that South and Central Asia is a region of great importance to the United States.

“It’s only fitting that Assistant Secretary Boucher and his staff would make visits to the region regularly,” the official said.●