In an hour long meeting at Capitol Hill, Foreign Minister Khar, accompanied by Ambassador Sherry Rehman, met members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, including the Chairperson Senator Dianne Feinstein, Vice Chairman Senator Saxby Chambliss, Senator Burr, Senator Risch and others.
A Pakistan Embassy press release described the meeting as a “candid exchange of views” with the Senators. The Foreign Minister, the hand-out said, told US Senators that “Pakistan attached great importance to its relationship with the US and the people of Pakistan wanted their contributions and sacrifices in fighting terrorism recognised and appreciated.”
Khar said it was important thatPakistan's priorities, concerns and constraints were better understood by the US. This is the reason she was in Washington, to have in-depth discussions on how best to deal with the challenges in the bilateral relationship and to build on the recent positive momentum in strengthening the special relationship between Pakistan and the United States.
On Afghanistan, Khar said that Pakistan wanted to have a genuine dialogue on the country with the US, and highlighted their commitment to use the “trilateral mechanism” to promote an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process.
“Instability in Afghanistan threatens Pakistan more than any other nation on earth.”
Khar reiterated that a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan is central to Pakistan’s short and long-term interests.
The press release added that the Senators posed questions to her on regional security, counterterrorism efforts and the Afghanistan reconciliation process.
FM Khar is scheduled to meet members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday.
USAID’s operational difficulties in Pakistan
USAID Administrator Dr Rajiv Shah has urged the Government of Pakistan to address the operational difficulties facing USAID in Pakistan.
In a meeting with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar at the Willard Hotel in Washington DC, the USAID administrator said removal of these difficulties would help ensure “smooth and effective delivery of the assistance.”
According to a press release issued by the Embassy of Pakistan, the two officials reviewed the state of economic collaboration and USAID work and assistance projects in Pakistan. The meeting was also attended by Alex Thier from USAID, Pakistani Ambassador Sherry Rehman and other embassy officials.
FM Khar also said that large signature projects “could be important symbols of the good that Pakistan-US partnership has brought to the people of Pakistan.”
The press release added that the foreign minister “also stressed the desirability for timely “on budget” release of funds and the need for greater coordination and synergy in project implementation between USAID and the Pakistan government.”
Khar went on to say that Pakistan wants an early convening of the Working Groups between both countries on subjects of energy, trade, etc.
The embassy handout said that the FM also thanked Dr Shah for US assistance to Pakistan. “She also thanked for the timely and generous US humanitarian support during the floods in Pakistan in 2010 and 2011.”
Terming the US assistance as an investment in the future of the relationship, Foreign Minister Khar particularly appreciated USAID projects in the energy sector and road infrastructure,” said the press release.
COMMENTS (26)
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If we will go to the diplomats and the people they would say that america had created TALIBAN for against USSR,reumor says that pakistan has done, it also has chances that it's pakistan created. I believe that pakistan and afghanistan is not the problem in any area but i'am confident that USA has been the problem to the world since they want profit and intreast,and USA is good and best at its level may right i pray, just wait you loviely people the fact of yours would be correct i do pray because you love your country, ethnic,sect,culture etc. But who follow the path of TRUTHNESS they will win and can be anyone...
@ Maria
Know thy neighbor and love thy neighbor. The people of Afghanistan are called Afghan/Afghans and their currency is called Afghani. Building walls and isolationist policies will not save you from deep seated hatred towards people from different ethnic groups or religious sects.
Regurgitating official narratives and parroting them here only makes you look like an uninformed bigot who carries a ton of baggage. Unload your baggage and learn to know and love thy neighbors, India and Afghanistan.
Afghan refugees have enriched Pakistan with their culture and revived Pashtun culture in Pakistan. They contribute to the economy of Pakistan and they are industrious and successful. I wonder if you have been wronged personally by an Afghan for you to be so belligerent towards your fellow Muslims.
@Maria: "The West needs to help Pakistan build a big wall along the border with Afghanistan the same way the US is building a big wall to keep out the illegal Mexicans." While you attack Western embassies, they should help secure you? Why? And why does not your 500,000 army do this task?Isn't managing the borders their primary task or is it running golf courses, dfense housing societies, shaadi ghars, bakeries and of course from time to time bombng own citizens in FAA and enforcing disappearances of own citizens in Balochistan?
@GhostRider: "Ms. Khar carries an aura with her…there is something abt her which melts the foreign diplomats…" Are you kidding? Understand the body language of each one in the accompanying picture. She has been shunted aside and a distance put between her and others, with everyone crowding around Sherry Rahman. There is one who even has his back facing the "honoured" guest Foreign Minister of Pakistan.
@Maria. Why should the West help Pakistan build a wall - if you want one build it yourself - I am sure that Afghanistan would appreciate your keeping the terrorist on your side of the border. Further - please explain how a wire fence is suppose to deter someone who's carrying an RPG - another one of those "details" you like to ignore.
It's unfortunate that this meeting took place is the backdrop of Pakistani's burning the American flag - doubt the meetings went as well as Khar had hoped. On the bright side if Pakistan had released the Abbottabad Commission report it's likely the American's would have refused to meet her.
The fact of the matter is that Pakistan is not only the part of the problem in Afghanistan but rest of the world as well.
@Dr. Asad Sadick, Germany: Right, body language speaks louder than the PR Statement ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FM Khar also said that large signature projects “could be important symbols of the good that Pakistan-US partnership has brought to the people of Pakistan.” +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ the subtle begging bowl!
I think this kind of visits and this kind of statements are made for domestic audience in Pakistan +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ They have zero impact on the US Senate and US Public.
This minister must be getting bulk discounts from airlines.........US or China every week...........Public money wasted when asking more aid
@mr. righty rightist: the problem is people like you who breath this beautiful countries air and still abuse it ,if you think PAKISTAN is a problem then go to afghanistan .
@Maria: My dear sister! Try to be a little bit realistic. In my view all of pakistan's neighbour including china are not happy with pakistan due to the export of millitants and it would be better to build a huge wall around all pakistan to separate it from all its neighbours so that you will enjoy living with sindh, baloch,fatta and all your maddrassas in peace and hormony. It is true that after soviet invasion we migrated to pakistan as well as to Iran and other countries and as an ordinary Afghans we are so thankful (evnthough, we know how much rights pakistan gave to Afghans migrants compare to other europian countries). However when soviet union left, Pakistan has started daydreaming of turning Afghanistan to its 5th state by pursuing the policy of strategic depth. Pakistan supported specific faction during civil war and then created Taliban for its long objectives. But 180 degree U-turn of Pervez Musharaf after 9/11, Pakistan has started double game with US by supporting Haqani network. Now you should reply me who is the problem? The only fault we Afghans have is that we defeated soviet and migrated to Pakistan and secured Pakistan from soviet invasion, but people like you assume as terrorists and trouble makers, while we are victims.
@sabi: The Pakistan FO thesis is that the whole world is wrong but the FO is right +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And the firm belief that denials repeated often enough overcome all truth.
@Maria: What about a Big wall between India & Pakistan also? India will surely agree
Fix the problems of Afghanistan first where US/ NATO is not safe even with their fellows...
@Maria: " The West needs to help Pakistan build a big wall along" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ So now Pakistan cannot even build a big wall? usually it takes a lot of bricks and cement.... Pls look up on google how to build a wall.
@Maria:
Let ,me get this straight. You were born of a foreign occupation which includes lands occupied with people whom are more connected by ethnicity, culture and language with Afghanistan. And they are the problem? You sound like an Israeli.
If one looks at the picture above, it tells an interesting story. At first glance one sees the Foreign Minister in the group conspicous only by the color of her dress. At a second, more carteful look it becomes obvious that Sherry has taken the center stage and Hina Madam is just an on looker like a wall flower. After all you can't compare the two, anyways.
Ms. Khar carries an aura with her...there is something abt her which melts the foreign diplomats...when SMQ was FM statements from US were much harsher
Will a criminal ever accept he is a criminal if given a choice?
OK lets put it this way the country which hosted Osama for 10 long years is the problem. The country where most of the world's Al Qaeda lives is the problem. The country where the Haqqani network operates from is the problem.
@mr. righty rightist: The same way India and Afghanistan have been THE problem for Pakistan since the British left in 1947. The West needs to help Pakistan build a big wall along the border with Afghanistan the same way the US is building a big wall to keep out the illegal Mexicans. This way the movement of Afghanis will be stopped and Pakistan can repatriate all Afghani refugees back to Afghanistan.
Sometime I think how easy is it to be a foreigne minister of Pakistan.You don't need to be tricky and clever or visionary what you need is readymade phrases on how to deny or how to comply according to the text prepaired by foreigne office,Beleive me I'm tired of that language as, peace with all neighbours,stable afghanistan.equall terms,pakistan sovereignity.will not accept, and Blah blah.Back to the square is the fate that we are left with.Still we think we can change the world and keep on insisting.What a self delusion.
YES.
Pakistan is not a part of the problem. Pakistan is THE problem.