ISLAMABAD – A two member Professional Staff delegation of the House of Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) of the United States Congress called on Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi here on Monday.
The delegation comprised Kristen Marquardt and Sajit Gandhi. Fatemi welcomed the delegation members, while observing that their visit to Pakistan was timely and important, as it provided the opportunity to the Congressional staff members to exchange views with the concerned authorities in Pakistan on all areas of mutual interest and assess the situation on ground concerning Pakistan’s committed efforts on various fronts.
During the meeting, a range of important issues were discussed. Fatemi highlighted the fact that there was lack of sufficient appreciation for Pakistan’s whole hearted efforts it was undertaking jointly with the US administration, in countering the threat posed by terrorism. Topics concerning reduction in US defence and civilian assistance to Pakistan and Congressional hold on some already approved funds were also deliberated upon.
In their remarks, the delegation members noted that the US fully recognised that Pakistan has done a great deal in addressing various security challenges, primarily in its own interest. They reiterated that the efforts by the US to strengthen Pakistan’s capacity in its counter terrorism efforts, through continued provision of military equipment and assistance with approval of the US Congress was a testimony to the strength of Pakistan-US bilateral relations.
“Our rapidly expanding cooperation in a number of other sectors, including energy, economy, education, science and technology, law enforcement and strategic stability, under the Pakistan-US strategic dialogue had put the bilateral relations on a sound footing,” the delegation members said.
