A US congressional delegation comprising four US Senators, headed by Robert Patrick Casey, a senior Senator from Pennsylvania, called on the Defence Minister, Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar here at Ministry of Defence on Thursday. The Defence Minister highlighted significant role of Pakistan and its armed forces in war on terror, said a press release.
He re-iterated that ongoing war will be taken to its logical conclusion, for which international support in military and monetary terms to Pakistan will help create desired effects. The Minister briefed the US delegation on the economic loss Pakistan has suffered since start of military operations post 9/11.
The scale of casualties incurred on military forces as well as civilians was amply briefed to the US team, to prove the fact about the level of commitment and sincerity Pakistan has demonstrated and will continue to apply, until peace and normalcy prevails in Afghanistan and adjoining tribal areas.
Efforts on part of the government in rehabilitation of IDPs of Swat and Mingora were also discussed. US Senators requested the minister to use his office in seeking early negotiations and solutions to the unresolved issues between the Pakistani and US administrations. Need for intelligence building, tight control/check on IEDs and operations against all terrorist networks in tribal areas were also underlined by the visiting delegation.