Fatemi holds meeting with Senator McCain, other officials in Washington

WASHINGTON: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on foreign affairsTariq Fatemi has said that Pakistan gives great importance to its ties with the United States.

Talking to a gathering of foreign policy experts and US government representatives in Washington, Mr. Fatemi said that the United States is a key partner in security and economic realms for Pakistan, and the country looking forward to strengthen the bonds in future with the new US administration.

He further said that the efforts are being made to normalize Pakistan’s bilateral ties with Afghanistan and India as the prime minister believes in prosperous and peaceful neighbourhood.          .

He said Pakistan has sacrificed thousands of lives in the war against terrorism and is determined to end terrorism from the country.

Fatemi met Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and former presidential candidate Senator John McCain and discussed the regional security and bilateral ties.

The situation on the Line of Control along with Pak-Afghan relations also came under discussion in the meeting. He said that Pakistan Army has carried out a successful operation against terrorists in North Waziristan tribal region.

Senator McCain lauded Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism. He assured Fatemi that United States will continue cooperating with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.

Fatemi also met the officials of US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and briefed them about negative implications for prospects of peace in South Asia due to the Indian belligerence in the region.