Foreign relations: Pakistan pursuing national interests, says Haqqani

The democratic government is pursuing Pakistan's national interests while conducting the country's international relations, Islamabad's ambassador in Washington Husain Haqqani said as he indicated improvement in Pakistan-US ties, after weeks of rhetoric on some issues appeared to give way to normal course of diplomacy.
Ambassador Haqqani, addressing a gathering of Pakistani-American community in Portland in Oregon State, said challenges remain in the wide-ranging bilateral ties but relations are coming back to a normal course through quiet diplomacy.
Officials in both capitals are toning down tough talk and rhetoric.
"Both Islamabad and Washington realise we need each other and a strong, positive bilateral relationship is in the best interest of our two countries and their peoples," he told the gathering in the American state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.
The ambassador stressed the democratic institutions are working to secure Pakistan's interests in the country's relations with the international community.
Haqqani spoke in the backdrop of recent tensions in the relationship, starting with Admiral Mike Mullen's assertions days before his retirement last month, when he alleged that the Afghan Haqqani militants had Pakistani support in carrying out attacks in Afghanistan. The White House, however, refused to endorse Mullen's controversial characterisations after which a series of meetings between officials of the two anti-terror partners have eased tensions in the relationship, considered vital not only in the bilateral context but also to successful outcome of the decade-old Afghan conflict.
In his interaction, the Pakistani diplomat spoke about Islamabad's efforts towards socio-economic development of the people. He said despite resource constraints, the government is striving to grapple with devastation caused by massive floods in Sindh and parts of Balochistan.
He praised the Pakistani diaspora and urged them to assist the country with their generous contributions in dealing with the flooding catastrophe that has displaced millions and destroyed infrastructure and vital cotton crop over huge swathes of agricultural land.
Ambassador Haqqani also drew attention of the hardworking Pakistani-American community to the importance of their participation in mainstream American politics through association with local political and public causes.
He particularly highlighted the need for Pakistani-Americans to be articulate and the younger generation's availing tremendous opportunities in think-tanks, research institutions, print and electronic media. A vibrant Pakistani-American community would serve interests of both countries, he noted.