Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday called upon the United States to ensure a balanced approach towards the South Asian region and adopt a non-discriminatory policy for Pakistan and India. Talking to the US Congressional delegation led by Senator Robert Corker at PM's House, the Prime Minister said this would greatly help build US image and its perception among the people of Pakistan.
He recalled that Obama administration had disappointed Pakistani people by dropping the idea of appointing former President Bill Clinton as special envoy to help resolve the festering Kashmir issue. Instead, Pakistan was clubbed with Afghanistan under the 'Afpak policy', he added.
On Raymond Davis issue, Gilani welcomed the positive messages emanating from both Pakistan and the US and said that the two sides, going beyond this incident, must continue building strategic relationship. He noted that US projects funded under Kerry-Lugar assistance are now in their implementation stage. He said the assistance should focus on major projects, thus having a positive impact on the lives and livelihood of the people of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister stressed that the good work done in the past three years should foster bilateral ties in multi-faceted fields under the sectoral arrangements of strategic partnership. These strong ties, he added must not be affected by any single incident and both US and Pakistan through their intensified and concerted efforts should aim for taking these relations to a higher level.
Dilating upon Pakistan's unmatched sacrifices in human and economic terms in the war against terror, he reiterated his government's resolve to remain focused on the mutually shared objectives of defeating terrorists and extremists as well as restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan. He hoped that US side would also remain focused on these cherished objectives and would not allow any irritant to distract from them.
Expressing their views, US Senators termed Pakistan one of the greatest nations, which are playing enormous role in the frontline of war against terror. They acknowledged the great sacrifices, which Pakistan has made despite its own difficulties for the safety and security of the world. They agreed with the Prime Minister that positive messaging would help establish trust and confidence between the two countries and no single incident should make the strong bilateral relations hostage.
They also appreciated Prime Minister's role and personal investment in normalisation of his country's relations with its neighbours and his political acumen to build national consensus in true spirit of democratic norms.
While agreeing with the Prime Minister on the imperative of socio-economic development which should have a direct effect on the people, particularly in the backward areas, they assured him that the US would remain committed to play its part in the progress and prosperity of Pakistan and deliver its pledges for economic and security assistance.
The US Congressional delegation included Senators Robert Corker, Bernad Sanders, Joseph Manchin III and Christopher Coons. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mrs Hina Rabbani Khar, US Ambassador in Pakistan Cameron Munter, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam, secretaries of foreign affairs and defence and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.