Caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro on Wednesday said Pakistan and United States enjoy a strategic relationship devoted to promoting peace, security and co-operation. The United States is one of Pakistan's most important trade and development partner, he said this while talking to US ambassador to Pakistan, Anne W Patterson, who called on him here.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan is making progress in the democratic process and added the caretaker set-up would primarily focus on facilitating the Election Commission to hold free, fair and transparent election in the country.
He said the election process has started and all the political parties have submitted their nomination papers. The Prime Minister said the government's priority would be to ensure a peaceful environment before and during the election. He said Pakistan is committed to fighting terrorism and extremism in all its forms and, adding that this is in Pakistan's national interest.
He also emphasised the need to address the root causes of terrorism which, he said stems from deprivation and injustice. On Pakistan defence needs, the Prime Minister said, the government is pursuing a policy of minimum credible deterrence. "Our nuclear and missile capability is to guard sovereignty and integrity through credible deterrence," he added.
Commenting on Pakistan-India relations and the issue of Kashmir, he said Pakistan is perusing the composite dialogue process and is committed to resolution of all outstanding issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Sustainable peace in South Asia can be achieved only after the resolution of Kashmir dispute acceptable to Pakistan, India and the Kashmiri people, he added.
Regarding Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said Pakistan fully supports Afghanistan in its efforts to achieve stability, which is also in Pakistan's national interest.
He said the international community must be more active to ensure peace, stability, and development in Afghanistan. Patterson reaffirmed that Pakistan and US maintain a deep strategic relationship and said the US considers Pakistan a close friend and an ally.