LAHORE, Apr 8 (APP)‑ A 10‑member US delegation here Wednesday called on Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and discussed with him Pakistan’s role in global fight against terrorism. Headed by Senator Jon Kyl, the delegation comprised US Senate and Congress representatives including Senator Jeff Sessions, Congresswoman Jane Harman, Congressmen John Kline and Christopher Carney and Security Advisors Tim Morrison, Jennifer Stewart and Sandy Luff.

Both sides exchanged views about the impact of US foreign policy on Pakistan’s internal affairs as well as latter’s prominent role in the human resource development.

On this occasion, the Governor Salman Taseer said though Pakistan and the US were allied in the global fight against terrorism, their friendly relations were too vast and based on strong footing.

Pakistan having a liberal and democratic nation, was a role model for the Muslim world, he said, citing that it had all social elements necessary for stability of a nation.

Taseer said this region had been known as the land of saints for thousands of years and its compatibility with many civilizations promoted ‘Peace Culture’ here. “We have inherited the historic wisdom of adopting the path to progress along with other nations.” he observed.

He said that Mujahideen from around the world under the patronage of Western powers had thronged this region to free Afghanistan from then USSR’s clutches. And today, Pakistan was being hit hard by global wave of terrorism and paying huge prices for the policy initiated 30 years ago, he added.

He said terror acts were being carried out in Pakistan by those people, whom the Afghan government failed to stop from entering into Pakistan.

He observed that current torture incidents in Pakistan’s tribal belt was the repercussion of what is going on in Afghanistan.

Taseer said Pakistan’s clergymen were not extremists and its people proud of being living in accordance with religious tenets and they know better that Islam totally rejects terrorism in all its manifestations.

The Governor also ruled out the impression that extremists had overpowered NWFP, adding that formulation of an effective strategy in collaboration with the affected innocent tribesmen was inevitable to ensure durable peace in tribal areas of the country.

To a question by a delegate, the Governor said that educated lot was the asset of our society, adding that overseas Pakistanis had also proved their worth in the world.

He said that democracy was fully functional in Pakistan, which ended the military interference in the country’s politics.