A US congressional delegation on Monday called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr and discussed matters relating to Pak-US bilateral relations, mutual co-operation, fight against militancy, ROZs and security situation in the region.
The delegation included Representatives Darell El Issa, Todd R Platts, Jason Chaffetz, Stephen F Lynch, Brian M Higgins and Raul L Labrador. Stephen Engelken, Charge d' Affairs, Thomas A Alexander, senior Counsel (Majority) Committee on Oversight, Adam Pl Fromm, Counsel (Majority) Director of Member Services and Scott Lindsay, Counsel (Majority) Committee on Oversight, were also present.
Pakistan side included Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Finance Minister, M Salman Faruqui, Secretary General to the President, Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor, Chairman National Commission for Government Reforms, Hina Rabbani Khar, MOS for EAD/Finance, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam, Farahnaz Ispahani and Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar, besides Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and other senior officials.
Briefing media Farhatullah Babar said that the President highlighted the economic situation of the country and focused on the need for US support to Pakistan in pleading its case for assistance and market access before the international community. The Congressmen also raised the matter of Raymond Davis, involved in the killing of Pakistani nationals in Lahore, with the President. The President said that the matter was already before the courts. It would be prudent to wait for the legal course to be completed, he said. The delegation said that US administration would continue to provide all possible help to the Government in overcoming its difficulties.-PR