WASHINGTON: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has called for greater market access for Pakistani products in the United States in an effort to strengthen the South Asian country's economy.
During talks with US officials as she continues her US visit, Ms. Khar said that Pakistan was hopeful that at some point soon the two countries will negotiate a free-trade agreement that would open up both Pakistani and US markets to products made by the other.
In the short term, the foreign minister added, Pakistan was urging the US to put together a trade package that would give greater access to Pakistani products now and thus strengthen the Pakistani economy.
A democratic and economically viable Pakistan, she said, is the strongest weapon to defeat the terrorist threat in South and Central Asia.
During her meetings, she expressed her satisfaction that the Pak-US bilateral relationship had weathered a very difficult period over the last 18 months, and that relations were clearly improving, laying the foundation for an even more robust special relationship between the two nations in the future.
She conveyed the appreciation of the Government and people of Pakistan for the economic support and assistance provided by the US over the years, according to a press release issued by the Pakistan embassy here. This, she noted, was an investment by the US in a partnership that had done so much for peace, prosperity and security of our two peoples.
She also thanked the members of the Foreign Relations Committee, especially Senators John Kerry and Richard Lugar for the vision and leadership to enact the Enhancement of Pakistan Partnership Act of 2009 (Kerry-Lugar-Berman Bill).
More concerted efforts were, however, needed to achieve the benefits of this partnership as envisaged by the two countries, she said. After her meeting with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Ms. Khar said in an interview with Dunya television that her current visit had enabled her to address several concerns related to Pakistan in the US, and present an accurate picture of the challenges Islamabad faced as the contribution being made the country.
"The 'do more' mantra, in my opinion, will subside slowly, and it has during the last four months, ever since the question of apology was settled," she said. "Both our countries have tried to further this relationship with respect and commitment to each other and it shows on both sides".
The Pakistan-US relations, she said, were important and would remain so. Afghanistan was one reason for it, but there are several other basis for this relationship. There were several other elements that enhanced bilateral relations. "Upcoming elections in each country will not have any outcome on the nature of bilateral relationship," she said.
Election were also scheduled in Pakistan after 6-8 months. State-to-state relations were not dependent on one administration or the other. "You have seen a consistency in Pakistan, whatever government has been in power - even when there is no civilian government - state-to-state relations are maintained.
Comments
Comments are closed.