Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday called for an early conclusion of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and United States to promote economic activity. Talking to a US Congressional delegation led by Doug Lamborn at the PM House, the Prime Minister said the economic activity would address the issue of poverty and unemployment particularly in the under developed and militancy affected areas.
About the misperceptions in both countries against each other, the Prime Minister said the US presence in Pakistan should be seen as a source of peace and prosperity by the people of Pakistan, a PM House statement said issue here. However, he said the US administration and particularly the US Congress needed to be sensitive about the opinion and views of the people of Pakistan for paving the way for a long term strategic partnership based on mutual trust, respect and interest.
He pointed out that the people of Pakistan were expecting a thorough investigation of the Raymond Davis case in the US under its law. The provision of civil nuclear technology, reimbursement of large amount of with-held Coalition Support Fund to Pakistan and utilisation of Kerry Lugar Bill funds for signature projects having direct bearing on the life of ordinary people, the Prime Minister said would help build a positive image of the US in the country. The Prime Minister also stressed upon the need of positive messaging about each other in both the countries and regretted that certain incidents were blown out of proportion in a negative way about Pakistan in the US, which obviously drew a reaction in Pakistan.
Underlining Pakistan's strong commitment to cooperate with the US in defeating the common enemy of terrorism and militancy in the process of which Pakistan had made un-parallel human and economic sacrifices, the Prime Minister stressed the need for concerted efforts by both the sides to bridge the trust deficit through reinforced co-operation in intelligence sharing, joint action against al Quada and its affiliates as well as progress on various segments of strategic dialogue in the multi-faceted fields.
The Prime Minister referred to President Karzai's forthcoming visit to Pakistan during which the Inaugural Session of Joint Commission on Reconciliation between the two countries is scheduled alongwith the launching of Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement.
The US Congressmen were highly appreciative of the Prime Minister's remarks that US presence should be a source of peace and prosperity in Pakistan for addressing the negative perception about it in this country. They welcomed Prime Minister's proposal for Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and US and recognised the need that US should help Pakistan address the root causes of extremism, to win the hearts and minds of people of Pakistan in the larger interest of continuing the strategic partnership.