'US has no concerns over Iran-Pakistan gas deal'

ISLAMABAD: The United States has no concerns over Pakistan’s gas deal with Iran, stated US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke on Saturday.

Holbrooke arrived in Islamabad on a two-day official visit on Saturday, and held meetings with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other political leaders as part of the strategic dialouge between the US and Pakistan.

Holbrooke met Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and speaking on the occasion, Qureshi said that the areas of interest between the US and Pakistan have been branded.

Earlier, Holbrooke met Prime Minister Gilani, who urged the US administration to provide the Coalition Support Fund, and stressed that the fight against militancy in the tribal areas was dependent on the fund.

Holbrooke said that the US is increasing civil and military aid for Pakistan.

Later, Holbrooke also met with the Federal Minister for Finance, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme Farzana Raja.

The Federal Minister for Finance appreciated US economic assistance to Pakistan and stressed the need for private sectors of both countries to strengthen economic collaboration.

Holbrooke arrives ahead of United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is expected to visit in July for the second session of strategic dialouge between the two countries.