America backs Pakistan integrity: Congressmen

ISLAMABAD - The United States fully supports Pakistan’s security and territorial integrity and both the Republicans and Democrats are against the resolution tabled by an individual on Balochistan.
These views were expressed at a meeting of US Congressional delegation led by Congressman David Dreier Chairman, House Democracy Partnership and Chairman House Rules Committee who called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani here at the PM House. The prime minister conveyed serious concerns about the Balochistan resolution tabled by a US Congressman at the sub-committee level. He also pointed to the Congressmen, the unilateral action such as the drone strikes, which were unacceptable and counter-productive. There was a need to discuss and to overcome the situation created by such strikes, the prime minister said.
The people of Pakistan expected US to be mindful and respectful of Pakistan’s national interests and in particular its security and territorial integrity.
The Congressmen agreed with the prime minister that the trust deficit should be removed and that the US Congress and Pakistan’s Parliamentarians could play an important role in this regard.
A press release from the PM House said the delegation appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Gilani in consolidating democracy, civilian governance and rule of law in Pakistan.
The Congressmen expressed support to government’s policy aimed at economic development, addressing the needs of education, health and providing employment to the people of the country.
They endorsed the views that trade, and not aid was the way forward to economic development, promotion of education and poverty alleviation, enabling them in combating the root causes of extremism and terrorism.
Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan wanted to have excellent relations with US and it was important to follow a partnership approach based on mutual interest and mutual respect.
The premier recalled Pakistan’s numerous sacrifices in the war against terror and said the whole nation was united and the democratic government had given political ownership to the anti-terrorism campaign.
Gilani emphasised the need for making mutually-acceptable strategy to achieve shared goals and said military operation was not a permanent solution. He said Pakistan, therefore, supported the political process leading to political settlement in Afghanistan. He said the issue was discussed in detail with Afghan President during his recent visit to Islamabad. 
He said it was important that Afghanistan, Pakistan and US were on the same page and work together to promote national reconciliation, peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The prime minister said Pakistan had also taken steps to improve relations with India.
The US Congressional delegation included Congressman James Moran, Member House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Joe Wilson, Member House Democracy Partnership House Armed Services Committee, House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Adrian Smith, Member Subcommittees on Trade and Social Security, House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Kenny Merchant, Member Subcommittees on Select Revenue Measures, Oversight and Social Security, House Ways and Means Committee, Father Patrick Conroy, Chaplain of the House of Representatives and other senior officials.
Minister for Commerce Makhdoom M Amin Fahim, Chairperson BISP Ms Farzana Raja, Secretary Foreign Affairs, Secretary Commerce, Secretary Water and Power and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.