WASHINGTON - A group of American lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to maintain close relationship with Pakistan, hoping that Islamabad’s efforts to root out militancy would yield positive results.
Their reaffirmation came when Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, met with the leaders of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill, according to the Pakistani Embassy here.
Welcoming Fatemi on the occasion, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Representative Ed Royce noted that Pakistan and US shared common objectives in peace and stability in the region.
Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee Congressman Eliot Engel expressed appreciation for the Pakistani Government’s overtures made towards India and Afghanistan with a view to normalising relations with all the neighbours. He expressed high confidence in the strength and future growth of Pakistan-US bilateral relations.
Special Assistant Fatemi briefed Congressmen on Islamabad’s efforts to improve economic governance, enhance security in the country and defeat the scourge of terrorism. The two sides also discussed a wide range of issues in bilateral relationship and expressed satisfaction on its positive trajectory.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant Fatemi also met with Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Ranking member of House of Appropriation Committee and discussed matters related to economic cooperation.
Fatemi expressed appreciation for the US support for Pakistan in the critical areas such as security, energy and education.
He underscored the need for continued investment in mutually beneficial programmes in these areas. Congresswoman Lowey appreciated government’s measures to enhance tax collection. The meetings on the Capitol Hill were characterised by warmth and cordiality and the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister invited the members of Congress to visit Pakistan, the Pakistani Embassy said.