By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said that Pakistan wishes to build a long term and stable partnership with the US based on mutual trust and respect.
Talking to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Prime Minister urged the US administration to support Pakistan by enhancing trade between the two countries through increased market access rather than aid.
The US should hence start negotiations on Free Trade Agreement with Pakistan, he added.Prime Minister Gilani said that the financial assistance from the US should be rooted through the government system.
The Prime Minister said that the US should ensure early reimbursement of Coalition Support Fund (CSF) and reimbursement of Pakistan’s Counter Insurgency Capabilities Fund.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan has made great sacrifices in combating terrorism, militancy and extremism.
He also apprised the US Secretary of State on the progress of law enforcement operation in Waziristan.
The Prime Minister underlined the fact that the civilians and defence establishment as well as all the political forces of the country were fully united behind it which was reflective of the nation’s firm resolve to root out the evil forces from Pakistan’s territory.
He called upon the US to expedite replenishment of the urgently needed military hardware to strengthen the hands of Pakistan’s armed forces in the ongoing operation.
The Prime Minister termed the drone attacks being launched by the US in FATA region and consequent collateral damage as a source of major concern for Pakistan and urged the US administration to provide the drone technology to Pakistan.
The Prime Minister welcomed the US offer to reinvigorate Pakistan-US strategic dialogue and stressed the need of strategic stability in South Asia for maintenance of peace.
He firmly asserted that Pakistan will never compromise on its legitimate security interests and will continue to maintain the minimum credible deterrence for its defence.
The Prime Minister called upon the US for mediation between Pakistan and India on core interests i.e. Kashmir, water issues as well as help Pakistan enhance its defence capability to maintain balance of power.
The Prime Minister urged early release of Dr. Afia Siddiqui on medical grounds.
The US Secretary of State congratulated the Prime Minister on taking very difficult decisions to fight the terrorism.
She acknowledged that Pakistan had proven its resolve in the fight against militancy and the US would support Pakistan in every possible way to succeed.
She said that she had come to listen and understand the concerns and problems that the government of Pakistan was facing in these challenging times.
She assured the Prime Minister of her government’s sincerity in developing a long term strategic partnership with Pakistan by overcoming the differences and through mutual consultations.
US Secretary of State apprised the Prime Minister of her earlier announcement that the US will assist in providing more than 10,000 tube wells to Pakistan and refurbish power transmission infrastructure at the Tarbela Dam.
She said that the US government would be providing additional assistance of $ 10 million through UNHCR for the internally dislocated persons of Waziristan, $ 20 million food aid through World Food Programme and $ 25 million to help Pakistan’s efforts in reconstruction of terror affected areas of Swat.
She reaffirmed that the US was ready to revitalize the strategic dialogue with Pakistan but wanted them to be result oriented.
Referring to the current political situation and forthcoming run of Presidential elections in Afghanistan, the Secretary of State said that both US and Pakistan had stakes in the stability of that country.
She hoped that the Transit Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan would be signed by the end of this year to strengthen the trade and economic links between the two countries.
She said that the US would welcome Pakistan’s input in its strategic review of its Afghan Policy.
She also commended the Prime Minister for his stance of reconciliation and the desire for improving relations with India through resolution of all the outstanding issues by resuming the composite dialogue.
She said that while she was aware that it is a difficult process, the US government would support the efforts for early resumption of the composite dialogue between India and Pakistan.
The US delegation included, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson and other government officials.
From Pakistan side Minister for Defence, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister, Shaukat Tareen, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Senator Sughra Imam and other senior government officials were present in the meeting.