US committed to forge beyond security ties with Pakistan: Hillary

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has assured Pakistan of long-term and consistent ties and pledged seven and a half billion dollar aid in this regard on Monday. During a joint press conference with her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Hillary said that US would stand by Pakistani people in face of terrorism, and added that US is committed to forge deep ties with Pakistan beyond security issues for the uplift of the people. She said that she looked forward to the next Pak-US meeting scheduled to be held in Washington in October. Q&AReplying to a question regarding the trust deficit between the US and Pakistan, Hillary said that the road is too long ahead, but added that actions speak louder than the words, and we are moving into action.She said that she wanted to assure the people of long-lasting financial assistance and relationship in a broader perspective. Qureshi, while replying to the same question said that the pubic opinion would change only when the people would see the change and improvement in their lifestyle. He said that both US and Pakistan are committed for a reconciliation programme. Answering the question, Clinton said she endorsed Karzai governments reconciliatory efforts but and continue to stand by with the Afghan government. On Pak-China nuclear deal, she said that we are constantly talking with Pakistan about its energy needs and regarding the nuclear deal questions are posed and answers are asked in the next nuclear summit, while Qureshi said that Pak-China deal is open to the IAEA inspection. Earlier, addressing a press conference with Pakistani FM Qureshi on Monday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton vowed efforts on part of the US to rebuild Pakistan in the aftermath of war on terror.She maintained that to make the lives of the people better is the main focus of both the nations. She hailed the transit trade accord Pakistan signed with Afghanistan. Clinton committed investment in Gomal Zam and Satt Para dams which would generate 17.4 megawatts of electricity. The aid package includes dam projects in Balochistan. Three big hospitals in Karachi, Lahore and Jacobabad. She pledges two specific programmes for agriculture, one for the training of farmers in dairy production and drip irrigation, and the other to increase production and export of mangoes. The projects will be part of a five-year, 7.5 billion-dollar aid package approved by US Congress last year. The aid package totalling 1.5 billion dollars is likely to focus on the key energy and water sectors.Clinton also extended condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the wave of terror attacks in the recent two weeks.She also condemned the bombing at Data Darbar. The strategic dialogue launched in Washington in March this year has 13 separate working groups that have met in Islamabad over the past three months. These groups are focused on agriculture, communications and public diplomacy, defence, economics and finance, education, energy, health, law enforcement and counterterrorism, market access, science and technology, security, strategic stability and nonproliferation, water and womens empowerment. Earlier, addressing the conference, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan expected a lot from the US. He said that Pakistans foremost priority is sectoral upgradation. He said that Pakistan wants market access to US markets, strengthening of Paks terror capacity, non-discriminatory access to resources, which would enable both the nations to achieve real benefits of the strategic dialogue.This is a chance of formational phase in bilateral ties, together Pak and US are working for sustainable partnership of mutual benefit, Qureshi said.He also called for result-oriented strategic talks with the US, with stress on a roadmap for future engagements.