Pakistan, US set to consolidate ties over long-term through strategic dialogue- Ambassador Durrani
WASHINGTON, Sept 23 (APP): Pakistan and the United States are set to consolidate their relationship over long-term through cooperation in wide-ranging areas under their strategic partnership and Washington has expressed its support for the countrys holistic approach to curbing extremism, Pakistans ambassador to the US Mahmud Ali Durrani said.
Briefing newsmen about last weeks Pakistan-US strategic partnership dialogue held in Islamabad, the envoy also stated that the two allies have agreed to hold the dialogue after every six months as it is an excellent vehicle to progress of overall bilateral relationship.
In the second round of the strategic dialogue, the two sides discussed ways to carry forward and expand cooperation in areas including education, science and technology, economy and energy.
Overall, the dialogue remained very successful, he added.
Ambassador Durrani said, as reiterated by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, Washington has committed to extend 750 million dollars over a period of five years to bolster Pakistans plan for economic development of its tribal areas bordering Afghanistan as a way to curb extremism affecting the region.
Pakistan is to spend 100 million dollars each year for a decade for uplift of the tribal region under FATA sustainable development program.
In addition, the two countries discussed progress toward creation of reconstruction opportunity zones, which the ambassador hoped would shortly be introduced in US Congress for legislative action, required to kick start the program.
The Pakistani side drew the US attention to visa issuance problems facing the Pakistani students, business people and normal visitors and the American officials promised they would try to expedite the process, he added.
Durrani said the two allies cooperate closely in the area of intelligence in the fight against terrorism and administration officials and congressional delegations visiting Pakistan acknowledge the countrys pivotal efforts in the war on terror.
The envoy denied the existence of any safe haven for terrorists on the Pakistani side of the Afghan border but said there may be some al-Qaeda elements or the Taliban in the region.
Citing Pakistans vital counterterrorism efforts over several years and sacrifices by its security forces, the envoy said the country has been a key ally but continues to suffer from the blowback effect of insurgency in Afghanistan.
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