Foreign Minister Khursheed Mahmud Kasuri has said that Pak-US relations are strong and Washington has a very good understanding of Pakistan's contributions to combat terrorism. In an interview with Washington Times, he said his talks with US Secretary of State on Monday last, focused far more on Pakistan-India issues than on the border with Afghanistan.
He emphasised that Pakistan is striving to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan is worried about the surge in insurgent attacks in southern Afghanistan in the recent months.
He said Pakistan is doing its utmost to combat terrorism and extremism. So far six hundred Pakistani troops have been killed in operations against Taliban and al Qaeda elements. Mr Kasuri said Pakistan has suffered economically, militarily and politically from instability in Afghanistan.