With the political change and restoration of democracy in Pakistan the United States has realised the necessity of long term interaction with the elected leadership instead of banking a military dictator to protect its sensitive strategic regional and international interests.
Analysts here attach great significance to President George W. Bush's telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to congratulate him and welcome his election with an overwhelming majority and reiteration of Washington's commitment to further strengthening relations with Pakistan.
President Bush assured that the US will continue to support Pakistan and praised Pakistan's role in fight against terrorism, which he said is a threat to both countries.
President Bush also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to visit the USA at his convenience. Analysts said that President Bush had such telephonic conversations only with President Musharraf since 9/11 and elected representatives were not taken on board on such strategic matters.
They said it goes to the credit of genuinely elected Prime Minister Gilani that he made it clear that a comprehensive approach is required to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, specially combining a political approach with development programmes.
The United States hitherto had stressed a military solution rather than having a negotiated settlement with the fiercely independent-minded tribesmen living on the western borders of Pakistan. The two senior US diplomats, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, who landed in Pakistan early Tuesday morning held meetings with Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, Co-Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari, Speaker National Assembly Dr Fahmida Mirza.
They are also scheduled to meet Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali in Peshawar on Wednesday to discuss the war against terrorism being fought in Federally and provincially administered areas of NWFP.
It may be added that leaders of the three main political parties, which are going to form coalition governments at the Centre and in the four provinces have already made public commitments that they would review Pakistan policy and participation in the war against terrorism.
They said that the new coalition government has its own priorities in light of the mandate and wishes of the nation and all decisions will be taken by the Parliament.
Nawaz has said, " if there are some differences in the family, you do not start killing members of your own family" Zardari has said, "even fools know that Musharraf's eight years policies have failed.
Asfandyar Wali whose party is going to head the coalition government in the disturbed NWFP has said instead of raining bombs and missiles, the government will hold talks with the tribal people and restore peace through negotiations. Negroponte and Boucher also held meetings with President Musharraf and Chief of Army Staff General Kiani on Tuesday and discussed the on-going war on terror.
However, analysts say that the new elected leadership has distanced itself from Musharraf's policies as none of the prominent leaders of PPP, PML (N) and ANP except Jehangir Badar attended the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Gilani at the Aiwan-e-Aaddar to avoid per chance meeting with Musharraf.
Meanwhile, in an interview after the oath taking ceremony, Prime Minister Gilani said that he would announce the coalition government's first 100-days programme after taking the vote of confidence, probably on 29th March 2008.
He said the government would consult all the political parties in the ruling coalition for making an effective strategy for providing immediate relief to the people.
He said the challenges being faced by the new government include terrorism, inflation and power shortage. An atmosphere needs to be created in the country which encourages investment, he added.
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