Haqqani to strive for improving mutual perceptions

WASHINGTON: Emphasizing the importance of long-term relationship for both Pakistan and the United States, the Pakistani ambassador in Washington has said he would endeavor to improve commonly held perceptions about each other in the two countries. Speaking to a gathering of Pakistani Americans, Ambassador Husain Haqqani also vowed to urge the U.S. Congress on forging a broad-based strategic partnership between the two countries.
The envoy told members of Pakistani American Congress ahead of their 16th Conference on the Capitol Hill that Pakistan-U.S. relationship holds out great promise to the benefit of both nations. The two countries should strive for resolving their differences in a friendly manner, he added.
“Pakistan-US relations are vital and cover a range of fields from trade, to economy to defense --- we are for further bolstering these ties to our mutual interests,” he stated.
Haqqani said with the revival of democracy, Pakistan has a tremendous opportunity to move forward as a progressive and forward-looking country and noted that the entire nation is now united for the cause of democracy. He also underscored the need for curbing extremism in the region.
Pakistan, he assured the expatriates, is not facing any kind of political instability but passing through a phase of democratic process when it is strengthening its democratic foundations as has historically been the case with other dynamic nations that now are established democracies.
To the Pakistani Americans, he said they should have unity in their ranks and join hands in efforts aimed at consolidating Pakistan-U.S. relationship.
Khawaja M Ashraf, president of the countrywide organization, lauded Haqqani’s acumen, expressing the confidence that drawing on his wide experience and intimate knowledge of the United States, he would be able to advance Pakistan-U.S. relations.