By NNN-APP,
Lahore : Pakistan Muslim League Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif stressed the need for establishing Pakistan-US relationship based on mutual trust and interest, during a meeting with US Secretary of Hillary Clinton here Thursday.
The US secretary of State called on the former prime minister in the afternoon.The PML-N chief recalled that Pakistan had been an important friend and ally of the US and the two countries had cooperated on many important global issues.
Nawaz Sharif expressed his appreciation for President Obama’s policy of dialogue and engagement with all countries especially the Muslim world, which he believed would help foster understanding,reduce tensions and facilitate the resolution of regional and global differences.
He recalled that President Obama had stressed during the election campaign that the US should work towards promoting normalization between Pakistan and India and facilitating resolution of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
This was a most positive concept that now needs to be given official shape, he said.
Any US initiative towards achieving this objective would be welcomed by the people of Pakistan as resolution of the Kashmir issue would make a meaningful contribution to establishing peace and stability in the region, he said.
Nawaz Sharif also expressed his appreciation to the US Secretary of State for her encouragement to greater American investment in Pakistan especially in the power and energy sectors, as these would not only strengthen the country’s economy ,but also foster a closer relationship between the two countries.
He was accompanied at the meeting by Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif,leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Ch. Nisar Ali Khan, leader of the parliamentary party in Senate, Senator Ishaq Dar, MNA Khawaja Asif and former ambassador Tariq Fatmi.
Hillary Clinton had with her Richard Hallbrooke, US Ambassador Anne Paterson, Assistant Secretary of State P.G. Crowel and others.