PM’s visit laid foundation of Pak-US multidimensional, broadbased partnership: Sartaj

WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (APP): Terming the Prime Minister Muhammad
Nawaz Sharif’s four-day visit to the United States as `successful’
his Advisor on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz
Friday said it has laid the foundation of `multidimensional and
broadbased’ partnership between the two countries.
Talking to the reporters here after the culmination of the
visit, he said Pak-US bilateral ties have improved during the last
two years comparing the past when there had been some hiccups in the
bilateral relations that also caused suspension of strategic
dialogue.
He said six working groups were already working to improve the
Pak-US ties; however it was needed to address each other’s concerns
through such an interaction.
He said the joint statement issued after the meeting between
Prime Minister Sharif and US President Barack Obama had dispelled
the negative impressions being created in media about the bilateral
ties vis-…-vis Pakistan’s nuclear program and action against
militancy.
He said Pakistan has successfully convinced the US authorities
that Pakistan’s nuclear programme was meant to maintain minimum
deterrence what he said was also essential for stability in South
Asia.
Sartaj Aziz, who was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Aizaz
Chaudhry and Pakistan’s US Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani, told media
that the international community has recognized safety and
credibility of Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
He said the US has lauded Pakistan’s bold action against
terrorists besides acknowledging the sacrifices the country rendered
during this course.
He said due the effective implementation of the National
Action Plan, the terrorist attacks have reduced by around 60 to 70
percent adding that 190,000 Pakistani troops had been deployed in
tribal areas to fight the menace.
About the US’ concern regarding action against Haqqani
Network, he said Pakistan had made them clear that indiscriminate
action would be taken gradually against all the groups involved in
terrorism.
He said Prime Minister has reiterated his stance that Pakistan
will not allow the misuse of its soil for cross-border terrorism,
though Zarb-e-Azb operation has already weakened the terrorists to
a great extent.
The Foreign Advisor said Pakistan’s concerns were mainly about
India including hostile statements, ceasefire violations and
increased intervention in Pakistan by India.
He said Pakistan was ready for dialogue but India was putting
pre-conditions. He said the joint statement has clearly called for
steps to resolve all outstanding issues including Kashmir, besides
setting up a mechanism to end aggression at the Line of Control.
He said both Pakistan and US have agreed to make concerted
efforts to revive the peace process in Afghanistan that had been
disrupted by some elements by breaking the news about death of Mulla
Omar.
He said this visit would help broaden the Pak-US ties beyond
security issues to education, economy and defence cooperation.
About the new initiatives decided between Pakistan and the US,
he said both the countries have agreed for a Clean Energy
Partnership to produce 3000 megawatts of electricity. Besides, an
education corridor would be established introducing modern
facilities and capacity building in the education sector.
Sartaj Aziz said access to US markets, Pakistan’s participation in
bidding process of US defence contracts, Shale gas and defence production cooperation are among the initiatives in the pipeline.