ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: Pakistan will miss outgoing US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who has been a 'sane voice' in international affairs and a great friend to the country, Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri said on Tuesday.
"Powell has been a sane and reasonable voice in international affairs. He remained a great friend of Pakistan. We will miss him," Mr Kasuri told AFP.
"On a personal level, I will miss him because I had developed good personal chemistry and warm relations with him," he said.
Mr Powell would be remembered here for fostering a warm relationship between Pakistan and the United States, the minister said, adding the secretary of state appeared to have a 'soft spot' for Pakistan.
Mr Powell's departure would however not affect Pakistan-US ties, Kasuri said, describing the relationship as based on "sovereign equality, mutual need and mutual interest."
"I look forward to closely interacting with his successor in strengthening further Pakistan-US relations," he said.
"We hope his replacement will have a similar approach in international affairs and will help prevent friction in the international community and work for resolution of problems and disputes."
Pakistan believed it was important that problems facing the Muslim world were resolved on a just basis, Kasuri added.
"Pakistan considers that resolution of issues facing the Muslim world (must) be understood and resolved on the basis of justice, fair play and international legality to fully eradicate terrorism," he said.
Foreign office spokesman Masood Khan said Pakistan-US relations witnessed "a dramatic improvement" under Powell's watch.
"Secretary Powell also took a keen interest in South Asia and actively supported engagement and dialogue between Pakistan and India," Khan told AFP, referring to a peace process launched last year amid intense US-led international diplomacy.
"He will be remembered and respected in this part of the world for his integrity and his fair mindedness," Mr Khan said.-AFP
