Sherry discusses her assignment with Zardari

ALI HUSSAIN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Ambassador-designate to Washington Sherry Rehman Thursday got briefing on her new assignment during her separate meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.

According to Presidential spokesman, Rehman called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency, where matters pertaining to her new assignment were discussed. The President congratulated Rehman for her new assignment and urged her to concentrate on further enhancing Pak- US bilateral relations with focus on strengthening democracy and democratic institutions alongwith trade, commercial and investment ties.

Rehman thanked the President for the trust and confidence reposed in her and assured him that she would accomplish her responsibilities as ambassador of Pakistan in a spirited manner with full devotion.

The newly ambassador-designate to Washington, who is likely to assume her charge in the first week of December, was nominated by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to replace Husain Haqqani.

The presidential spokesman added that during the meeting with President, Rehman said that she would earnestly work to augment Pakistan's bilateral relations with the US and endeavor to defend interests of Pakistan at all international forums especially in Washington.

Earlier in the day, Rehman also called on Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and discussed her new assignment with her.

According to Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua, bilateral relations between Pakistan and the US were discussed at length during the meeting at Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Minister underscored the importance Pakistan attached to its relations with the United States, the spokesperson added.  Khar also congratulated Rehman on her nomination as Pakistan Ambassador to Washington and wished her all success.