SATURDAY OCTOBER 22: US agrees to facilitate market access: Clinton meets Zardari

ISLAMABAD: The United States (US) has assured Pakistan that the US administration is working to facilitate enhanced market access for Pakistani products. US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton held out this assurance in a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday.
Clinton also held one-on-one meeting with the President. Sources in the presidency told Business Recorder that President Zardari clearly told Hillary Clinton that criticism on Pakistan's role is affecting war on terror and bilateral ties should be based on mutual respect and partnership as Pakistan has already made a lot of sacrifices in the ongoing war on terror.
The President also made it clear that public criticism of Pakistan's role undermines "our common struggle against militancy in the region". The President underscored the importance of enhanced consultations between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect, sovereignty and interests. The Secretary of State said the US appreciates Pakistan's role in the peace process. However, she underscored the need for denying Afghan militants safe havens, and taking "strong steps" against terrorists, including Haqqani network.
She further said the US wants a long-term partnership with Pakistan but it has to ensure that the US interests are protected in the region. According to a press release issued from the Presidency, during one-on-one and the delegation level meeting, US Secretary of State Clinton discussed a host of issues relating to Pak-US relations, fight against militancy, regional situation with particular reference to the situation obtaining in Afghanistan.
Affirming US' continued support for democracy in Pakistan, she also applauded unanimous resolution adopted by All Parties Conference (APC) recently. President Zardari said that Pakistan's people and the leadership was among the first ones to fully realise and comprehend the threat posed by a violent mindset which is bred on the premises of deprivation and fuelled by a strong sense of inequality.
The President counted innumerable human sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in fight against militancy and extremism and never shirked to put in even more sacrifices when the world peace was at stake. He said that 30,000 innocent civilians along with 5,000 military and police officers laid their lives for the cause of not only securing our own lands from the clutches of militant mindset but also to contribute our share - indeed the lion's share - in making this region, specifically, and the world a peaceful place to inhabit.
Discussing situation in Afghanistan, the President reiterated that Pakistan supports all efforts for regional peace, prosperity and connectivity, based on existing realities of the region. The President said that Pakistan, being the immediate neighbour, has an abiding interest in the peace, stability, security and prosperity of Afghanistan and will continue to support every effort in this regard. He said that besides being immediate neighbours, Pakistan and Afghanistan share many issues of similar nature thus making Pakistanis direct affectees of any development across the border. He said that Pakistan supports an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process. Clinton appreciated Pakistan's contribution in promoting reconciliation. Thanking the President for the meeting Secretary Clinton said that the US administration desired continued partnership with Pakistan.
The sources said that in the meeting, Clinton was accompanied by US envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Mark Grossman, US Ambassador Cameron Munter and other US officials. Pakistan delegation consisted of Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and Interior Minister Rehman Malik and others.