By KUNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Wednesday said the country accords high priority to its strategic relationship with the Unites States and is desirous of expanding bilateral cooperation in all fields.
Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, talking to a US Congressional delegation led by Congressman Gary Ackerman, Chairman of the Sub-committee on the Middle East and South Asian Affairs, said the government was determined to fight terrorism.
Pakistan is fighting terrorism and has sacrificed a lot in this regard, including the assassination of former Prime Minster Benazir Bhutto, he was quoted as saying in a press statement.
The Prime Minister stressed on the need to address the root causes of terrorism which stem from socio-economic disparity and poverty and asked for increased cooperation to improve Pakistan’s economy, especially in view of the steep rise in the price of oil and food commodities.
He clarified that his government has not signed any agreement with the militants nor will allow foreigners to use Pakistan’s soil against another country.
“In my opinion,” he said, “the best way to deal with extremism is to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people so that they are not attracted by the religious bigotry and demagoguery.” Commenting on the situation in Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said Pakistan desires Afghanistan to be stable and prosper because a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan and the region.
The US delegation appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in fighting extremism and terrorism and expressed the confidence that democracy would lead Pakistan towards progress and prosperity.