US has concerns on Pakistan's interests: Khar

Talking to reporters after a meeting Thursday with House Appropriations Committee, including minority leader Nancy Pelosi, she said that the visit was aimed at addressing the concerns within the US legislative circles and to put forward Pakistans viewpoint in a better perspective.It is not wrong to say that there are several concerns related to Pakistan in the US, particularly with reference to the countrys interests. I think we got this opportunity to remove those misconceptions and present an accurate picture of the challenges we face and what has been the contributuon of Pakistan, she maintained.The do more mantra, in my opinion, will subside slowly, and it has during the last four months, eversince the question of apology was settled, she said while referring to repeated statements of US officials about Pakistans lack of intent in pursuing all kinds of extremists. Both our countries have tried to further this relationship with respect and commitment to each other and it shows on both sides, she believed. Pakistan-US relations have been important and will remain so. Afghanistan is one reason for it, but there are several other basis for this relationship. There are several other elements that enhance bilateral relations. Engaging with Senate and Congress is very important, because in the US policy-making and in their decisions as well as in implementation, Congress and Senate have a definitive role, she remarked.She, however, ruled out that the upcoming elections in each country will have any outcome on the nature of bilateral relationship. Election are also scheduled in Pakistan after 6-8 months. State to state relations are not dependent on one administration or the other. You have seen a consistency in Pakistan, whatever government has been in power - even when there is no civilian government - state to state relations are maintained, she pointed out. When her attention was drawn towards the lack of presence of Af-pak region in the US election campaign, she termed it a good omen. This is a good thing. It means that there is no negative bearing on Pakistan in the US elections, she noted. Earlier, talking after a meeting with Senates Foreign Relations Committee, Ms. Khar believed that the tough days were not over yet. Looking into the future, the next few months and years are going to be crucial in determining the efforts that can lead to joint success. I feel that our success is going to be as much joint as some of the lack of it has been in the past, she cautioned.I think it is important to have those discussions because we have too much mistrust and fears which have inhibited the course of our relations in the past. We hope that by these frank and honest discussions, we will be able to open up new opportunities of pursuing a joint interest. What the Pakistani people look for is the United States to respect and to pursue goals as a sovereign equal, she said while addressing the members of the Senate present. She highlighted that the US should assist Pakistan in terms of trade not aid. We continue to look towards you, towardszfuture assistance in the form of preferential market access to give a strong message to Pakistan that what is in the interest of Pakistan is seen to be in the interest of the United States also, she stated.The Senators raised the issue of Haqqani network, cross border insurgency, and preperation as well export of IEDs from Pakistans tribal areas to Afghanistan. Responding to these questions, Ms. Khar suggested strengthening information sharing and coordination of actions at all levels. The Foreign Minister also expressed Pakistans displeasure at an objectionable video taht hurt the sentiments of Muslims and called for the need to take steps against intolerance on either side. Intolerance that prevails in various parts of the world, and how some fringe elements can enforce through their intolerance, a great wave of chaos in many parts of the world, she said in a clear reference to the demonstration across the globe.Let me say that Islam is a religion of peace and the messenger of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was a messenger of peace. I want to give that message out to people because intolerance on either side must have no space. I think there is far too much at stake and there is far too much that we have tio build together in terms of harmony within religion, within civilization, within societies, she mentioned.- Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in Washington, DC