Pak-US ties should be focussed; not swayed by isolated incidents; Zardari

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Monday said Pakistan and the United States need to “remain focussed” to pursue long-term strategic ties, without being swayed by “misperceptions and some isolated incidents.”Talking to US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Marc Grossman here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr the President said it was important not to be swayed by misperceptions and some isolated incidents that may be used by some to increase tensions and mistrust between the people of the two countries.Discussing Pakistan-US bilateral relations, the President said that weakening of relations was not an option for the two countries.“We have to find ways and means to find acceptable solutions to all problems,” the Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar quoted the President as saying.Stressing the need to pursue multifaceted and durable strategic ties for realization of shared objectives, the President said the nation has paid heavily in the war against terrorism and lost thousands of men and suffered colossal economic toll. He said no one should question Pakistan’s commitment or intentions as it was fighting war against terrorism, suitable to its peculiar situation.Briefing the media Spokesperson said the President said the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the ongoing battle against extremism were matchless. He termed it “a long-drawn battle” where military means alone could not achieve complete victory as it was a battle of hearts and minds. He said the government adopted policy of dialogue, development and deterrence to effectively take on the challenge posed by the militants.He said while Pakistani soldiers took on the militants head on, the country also pursued policies and actions to wean away its youth falling into the traps of militants.The President said the world cannot afford non-state actors to dictate their policies to governments adding that militants wanted to change the existing order.The President said the government inherited a weak economy, that was further stifled by the war against terrorism and the unprecedented floods.He said it impacted government’s ability to provide opportunities to its people especially those worst hit by militancy.  President Zardari said he has been pleading before the international community Pakistan’s case for preferential trade to enable the country fight effectively against militancy and terrorism that not only threatened the country but also threatened regional and world peace.The President said timely international assistance, especially by its allies, in allowing greater market access to Pakistani goods would not only help it overcome the economic challenges but also augment efforts to win the battle of hearts and minds through provision of opportunities to those who have faced countless miseries.The President said that Pakistan was an important regional player due to its geo-strategic location and has always worked for promoting regional stability and peace.He said that Pakistan has an abiding interest in peace and prosperous Afghanistan and will continue to support efforts to bring peace and socio-economic prosperity in the neighboring country. He said that Pakistan supports Afghan-led peace process.The two also discussed ROZs, Pakistan’s call for U.S. support in securing preferential trade concessions, reimbursement of CSF arrears and Pak-U.S. bilateral relations and the progress in the Strategic Dialogue.The President also felicitated Ambassador Marc Grossman on his appointment and hoped his appointment would help fill the gap created by demise of late Ambassador Halbrooke. He hoped his long experience in public service would help bring in peace and prosperity in the region and bring the people of the two countries closer by removing mistrust.The meeting was attended by US Ambassador Cameron P. Munter, Admiral Philip Davidson, Vali Nasr and Nigehuaun Zhu, Minister for Defense Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar, Interior Minister Senator Rehman A.  Malik, Secretary General M. Salman Faruqui, MOS for Foreign Affairs Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Secretary Finance Dr. Waqar Masood Khan and Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar.