President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday said Pakistan would continue to pursue a comprehensive strategy to counter terrorism. Talking to US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President emphasised the importance of a stable, broad-based and multifaceted relationship between the two countries.
They discussed Pakistan-US bilateral relations and the political situation in Pakistan. The President termed the oath-taking of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani as historical day for Pakistan and said the transition to full democracy has culminated.
He said moderate parties had emerged victorious in the election and the new government and the Prime Minister enjoy his full support. The President expressed the hope that the new government would focus on effectively addressing the economic and political challenges and sustain the economic growth achieved over the past eight years.
John Negroponte assured the President of continued commitment of the US government to Pakistan's endeavours for socio-economic development. He underscored the importance of Pakistan in fighting extremism and terrorism. He also mentioned the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones legislation, that has been introduced in the Senate and US support for the Fata Development Plan.