ISLAMABAD, Jan 21: Pakistan on Saturday called for more coordination with the United States to avoid any repetition of last week’s US airstrike in Bajaur Agency that killed 18 people and triggered outrage across the country.

Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said he expressed concern to US Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns about the attack during talks with him.

Mr Kasuri reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to counter terrorism “but underlined the need for the two countries to work in a manner that precludes recent incidents like Bajaur,” according to a foreign ministry statement.

The US official was also apprised of the public concern over Jan 13 attack in Damadola village bordering Afghanistan. The foreign minister stressed that “such incidents were counter-productive.”

Mr Burns conveyed the continued US commitment to provide assistance in the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction.

It was agreed that in the coming weeks, the two sides would be working closely on the substantive and other aspects of President George Bush’s forthcoming visit to South Asia.

Regarding the Pakistan-India peace process, the foreign minister underlined Islamabad’s commitment to a purposeful and result-oriented dialogue. He emphasized the need for solution of all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.

The foreign minister said that Pakistan wanted durable peace with India and added that this was only possible through a resolution of the Kashmir issue to the satisfaction of Pakistan, India and the people of Kashmir.

Under-secretary Burns outlined US thinking on the issues relating to Iran.

Mr Kasuri stressed Pakistan’s interest in seeing the nuclear issue resolved in a peaceful manner.

The two sides also exchanged views on UN reform issue and agreed to work closely on matters of mutual interest.

GRANT: Meanwhile, the US handed over the first tranche of its $200 million grant to Pakistan for reconstruction in the quake-hit region.