US delegation lauds Pakistan’s peace initiatives

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar received a seven member US Congressional Delegation, led by Congress Dan Burton at his office Friday.

The Minister of State thanked the Congressional delegation for their visit to Pakistan. He conveyed appreciations of the government and the people of Pakistan for US support in the relief and rehabilitation operations in the earthquake affected areas.

The Minister appreciated the role of Congressman Dan Burton and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in supporting Pakistan in the US Congress. Congressman Dan Burton (Republican) and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat) are Co-Chairs of Pakistan Caucus in the US Congress.

The Minister of State expressed his satisfaction over the excellent cooperative relationship between the two countries. The US delegation conveyed the sympathy and support of the Government and people of the United States for the victims of October 08th earthquake and assured full support in this regard.

Regarding the rehabilitation process in the earthquake areas, the Minister told that the focus of the government was on the role of small and medium size enterprises, vocational training institutes, literacy and women empowerment. He mentioned that the Prime Minister of Pakistan had launched an initiative to economically energize the quake-affected areas through micro-finance and tourism.

The Minister of Stated briefed the delegation on progress in the Pakistan-India peace process. The Congressional delegation expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s endeavours to make the peace process with India truly irreversible. They expressed the hope that Pakistan and India would be able to settle their bilateral disputes including Jammu and Kashmir. Members of the Congressional delegation appreciated Pakistan’s role in the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan. Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker was also present during the meeting.