ISLAMABAD, Oct 16: The US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Tuesday held out a firm assurance that America would take concrete steps in the coming months to help Pakistan strengthen its economy.

“We had very straightforward discussions on the debt problem being faced by Pakistan,” Mr Powell said at a joint press conference after three-hour talks with President Musharraf and his team.

Mr Powell said that he would be taking a strong message back to Washington as to what was required to be done to help Pakistan overcome its debt problem. He pointed out that President Bush had already lifted a number of sanctions on Pakistan with a view to expanding the relations between the two countries.

As regards financial assistance, he said, a debt amounting to $379 million had already been rescheduled and a new IMF assistance package was being processed.

“As a result of actions taken by Pakistan over the past five weeks we have made a new beginning of relations which will grow and thrive in the months and years to come,” he said.

President Bush, he added, asked him to undertake the visit to demonstrate America’s enduring commitment to relations with Pakistan.

“We did not stop on discussions on Afghanistan. We are looking forward to strengthening of relations and so covered a whole range of bilateral issues,” he said.