KARACHI: A delegation of US congressmen led by Michael McCaul called on President Asif Zardari at Bilawal House on Tuesday and discussed Pakistan-US bilateral relations, strategic dialogue, Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs), war against terror, situation in Afghanistan and overall situation in thje region.
Other members of the delegation included Jeffrey Duncan, Henry Cuellar, Gene Green, Michael Fitzpatrick, Nick Palarino, Charles Snyder and Anne Bennet.
Discussing Pak-Us bilateral relations and the recent development, the President called for mutual understanding of each others point of view and a need for greater interaction at all levels to avoid any misunderstanding and negative impressions that would potentially endanger close working relationship at this critical hour.
Zardari emphasised upon need for both sides to exercise restraint and avoid uncalled for public criticism as it undermines efforts to stabilise the equation and working closely for shared goals.
He said that the democratic dispensation of Pakistan believes in trade rather than aid as a solution to the weak and stressed economy.
The president also called for expediting ROZs legislation terming it crucial for creating economic opportunities particularly for the people of militancy hit areas.
Talking about war against militants and its impact on Pakistan’s economy, Zardari said that the combined effect of war against militancy and the recent natural calamities have adversely impacted Pak economy thus restricting Government efforts to provide economic relief to the people. He said that under prevailing situation international assistance in various projects was crucial.
The president reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance of its abiding interest in the stability of Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan has always called for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned solution.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Secretary to president Malik Asif and additional Secretary Foreign affairs Dr Asad M Khan assited the president during the meeting.
COMMENTS (24)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1679806143-0/image-(21)1679806143-0-165x106.webp)
1679806143-0/image-(21)1679806143-0-400x230.webp)
1679806143-0/image-(21)1679806143-0-270x192.webp)
Aid for Zardari Trade for Pakistan :), is what he meant
@Adil: and that was supposed to be a joke?
AZ is the greatest leader our country has ever produced.
YEt it took 15 years to reciprocate MFN status to India when India had already granted it to Pak in 1996. And even now it is an 'in-principle approval to discuss modalities of MFN". Shows how serious Pakistan is about trade.
Also despite all talk about Trade not Aid - no-one is refusing the actual aid that is coming in.
If Pakistan was so much interested in hard earned Rupee by trade and not aid than how come it took 16 years to grant MFN to India and still not allowing NATO trucks to travel without getting looted or allow India to transport goods to central Asian nations and vice verse. Moreover how can one trade in the climate of insecurity. There is no guarantee on the safety of infrastructure etc. Talk is cheap. If you want trade create peace in the country and world will be at your door step.
@Cautious: Pakistan has lot of "ASSETS" that USA may be interested to buy.
first get rid of terrorism or become a satellite of leading powers like India.....only then there is some hope of trade growth
But there has been amazing trading going on for years already, between the two countries. USA makes your ISI/army do it's dirty work and in return, throws money and weapons at you and calls it aid.
On a different note, Happy Eid to everybody, including our estranged brothers and sisters across the border. With love from India :)
"Need for trade, not aid Zardari tells visiting US Congressman" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tell that to the flood victims sleeping in the open in the winter,
This comes out of excessive video conferencing of the flood victims.... it looks as if its some other country.....
Just tell me why does President of the Country meet a delegation.?
Every politician in Pak talks about trade>aid. No one achieves it. Why?
Its an same old record that is wearing many scratches, "More trade, Less Aid" !!! But what exactly does Pakistan have to offer???? I don't think that US & Europe is interested in any of Pakistan's ideological exports!!!!
@ishtiaq: Education is not the only solution. The first step is to halt crime and corruption, the rest will follow.
The USA is already one of your largest export markets --- if you want to increase that trade then you have to make a product that the USA needs and can be sold at a competitive price. Pakistan's economy is mostly agricultural based and the USA is already a major exporter of agricultural products and what products it needs during the winter are usually supplied by Mexico. In short -- what do you really have to offer?
Good rhyme scheme and that's about it.
Yeah. People are just dying to trade, no pun intended, in an area where their shipments merely being from the US will make the shipments themselves and their workers targets with no hope of compensation for their loss or conviction of the criminals.
more trade = more kickbacks
yes we just need trade and also education (high ) not aid.Education is also a necessary question that is not said by Zardari.
But no vision, no policy ,no environment for trade.
Our president is a good trader. Seriously, sometimes I get goosebumps hearing his words. :p
First, stabilize the nation, clamp down on corruption and tackle those militants. Who is Zardari trying to fool here?