Congressmen assure Pakistan of all-out support

WASHINGTON: Two US congressmen have assured that they will help push civil-military aid for Pakistan and play their role in the Congress to ensure political stability in Pakistan.

According to Capitol Hill sources, Pakistan’s ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani met Congressmen Michael McCaul, member of the Homeland Security Intelligence Committee, and Sylvestre Reyes, Chairman of the House Committee on Intelligence as well as member of the House Armed Services Committee, and discussed bilateral ties and Pakistan’s role in fighting the war on terror. McCaul and Reyes paid tribute to the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the war, sources said. McCaul said that, as a frontline ally, Pakistan had made enormous sacrifices and he supported the partnership between the two countries.

He also appreciated the role of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in bringing democratic stability to the country. He assured that he would play his role in the US Congress for the stability of Pakistan, democracy and the provision of civil-military aid. Congressman Reyes also said that Pakistan has given enormous sacrifices and assured Haqqani that the US would respond to Pakistan’s sincerity. He added that aid would not only be provided for defence but also for education, health and social welfare.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 13th, 2010.