LAHORE: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said that for a long term and sustained Pak-US ties, it was important that the relationship is based on transparency, mutual respect and mutual interest and is authenticated by the true representatives of the people.
During his meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides at Governor House here, the President said that Pakistan attached great importance to its relationship with United States and the two countries have mutuality of interests to pursue.
He said that the Government was awaiting completion of Parliamentary review process to reset the ties.
The President said that the democratic process may seem to be long and noisy but should be valued for being lasting and fruitful.
US Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides said that the US recognizes Pakistan's role in the fight against militants and wanted to restore multifaceted cooperation and relationship with Pakistan.
He said rebuilding the trust and confidence between the two countries was essential for pursuing common objectives.
Thomas Nides said that US respected the Parliamentary review process in Pakistan and looks forward to its early completion.
The President during meeting emphasized that drone attacks were counter-productive and violated the country's sovereignty.
He said that civilian casualties as a result of drone attacks caused deep resentment and fueled extremism and militancy.
Discussing situation in Afghanistan, the President said that narco-trafficking and narco-financing were among the major challenges that needed to be tackled urgently.
He said that the international community and NATO/ISAF should
address the issue of drugs and eliminate the funding source of militants.
He said that it was important that an incentivised framework is developed to attract multinationals to make investments in Afghanistan and the region.
Deputy Secretary of State was accompanied by Cameron Munter, Ambassador of USA to Pakistan, Dr. Peter Lavoy, Assistant Secretary of Defence, Daniel Feldman, Deputy Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Governor Punjab Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jillani, Pakistan Ambassador to USA Ms. Sherry Rehman and other high officials attended the meeting.
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