A delegation of US State Senators and leaders from different political parties called on the Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri here on Thursday.
The delegation included John Brueggemnan, Member Montana State Senate; Mark Martin, Member Arkansas House of Representatives; Hector Balderas, Member New Mexico House of Representatives; Brian Joyce, Member Massachusetts State Senate Escort; Ms Ayelet Hines, Senior Strategic Communications Specialists American Federation of State, Country and Municipal Employees, Washington DC and Joseph Patrick Achacos, Member President's National Hire Veterans Committee US Department of Labour New Jersey.
The Foreign Minister welcoming the delegation expressed satisfaction at the stable and broad-based bilateral relationship between Pakistan and USA, which had been further strengthened by President Bush's recent visit.
The Foreign Minister briefed them about Pakistan's relations with Afghanistan and the high priority that it attached to close and friendly relations and the vital stake that it had in the peace, stability and reconstruction in Afghanistan.
He also apprised them about the efforts that Pakistan was making to promote security along the border and underscored Pakistan's resolve to work with Afghanistan and other international partners in securing peace in the region. Foreign Minister stressed the need for Pakistan and Afghanistan to speak to each other only through the diplomatic channels. Foreign Minister further said that Pakistan and Afghanistan already have a useful forum in the shape of the Tripartite Commission in which Pakistan, Afghanistan and United States were all represented.
Foreign Minister Kasuri briefed the delegation about the peace process between India and Pakistan, which aimed at addressing all outstanding issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
He appreciated President George W Bush's public support to an acceptable solution of Kashmir problem to all sides, i e Pakistan, India and the people of Kashmir.
The briefing in which bilateral and regional issues were discussed, was followed by an interactive session of question and answers.