ISLA MABAD - Pakistan on Friday welcomed the appointment of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke as special US envoy to the region. In a statement, the Foreign Office spokesman said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday to inform him about the appointment of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke as the Special Representative to coordinate US government's efforts in our region. The spokesman said, "Pakistan welcomes the appointment of Ambassador Holbrooke and look forward to having enhanced and fruitful engagement with the Special Representative to further the cause of peace and stability of the region". APP adds: Pakistan wants to hold meaningful dialogue with US and jointly draw a future strategy to counter extremism and terrorism in the region. This was stated by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi while talking to BBC Radio. He hailed US administration decision for increasing three times the economic assistance to Pakistan, adding it indicates new administration wants to have strong relations with Pakistan. Showing concern over FATA situation, he said ensuring peace and stability in FATA is in Pakistan's own interest and government is striving to improve the security environment of the area. The Minister urged all regional stakeholders to work jointly for addressing security issue. He emphasised on adopting regional approach saying, "Obama administration is in agreement with us on our regional approach." Not only Pakistan but also all the forces and stakeholders of the entire region will have to work jointly in order to address the security issue, he said. The government wants to carry out economic development in that area following the multi-pronged strategy of political, economic and military track. But any kind of development work cannot be initiated there unless peace returns. To a question, he said if US policy statement is similar to our approach then Pakistan has no hesitation in adopting that. "We want peoples ownership in fight against extremism and terrorism to minimise alienation caused by the attacks," he added.