April 13, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 14, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, April 12: Young representatives of different states in the US said American people never considered Pakistanis as fundamentalist though they were concerned about certain developments in some part of the northern region.

Generally people in US consider Pakistan as a frontline partner against extremism, which is evident from the fact that they contributed a total of $100 million for the victims of October 8 earthquake, said the representatives of a delegation from US during their interaction with the local press.

Currently on a 12-day visit to Pakistan, the group consists of members of both Democrat as well as the Republican parties.

Led by Brian Joyce, member Massachusetts State Senate, the delegation comprises Hector H. Balderas, member New Mexico House of Representatives.; Ayelet Hines, senior strategic communication specialist American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees; Rachel Zagrabelny, director state government relations, International Council of Shopping Centres; Joseph Patrick Achacoso, member President’s National Hire Veterans Committee, Department of Labour; John Brueggeman, member Montana State Senate, and Mark Martin, member Arkansas House of Representatives.

“We are delighted with the response we got from people irrespective of ideologies which helped us learn a lot about Pakistan,” said Brian Joyce, who is serving his fifth term in the Massachusetts State Senate. “Dialogues are the only way to break down barriers and we as members of the global community will advance this cause when we return home with a favourable impression about Pakistan,” he said.

The delegation members said during their meeting with a cross- section of people in Pakistan, they learnt that all were committed to democracy, as it was the only way towards progress and development of this country.

They also emphasised that both the US and Pakistan should concentrate on efforts to strengthen social and academic institutions and encourage business, inter-faith dialogues and find common issues to establish long-term friendship instead of forging relations on conflicts.

“History shows conflicts as the main cause of bringing the two countries closer,” they said.

They also expressed the hope that the upcoming general elections in 2007 would be free, fair and transparent. Though there is a lot of focus on the presidential elections, more focus should be given to strengthen the local government institutions which provided a great opportunity for the future of the people of Pakistan, they added. Local politics and involvement of the people at the lowest tier always provides prompt solutions according to the need of the local environment, they said.

Referring to the misperception about Pakistan in the US media, they said the media tended to sensationalise things but we should appreciate that terrorism was a serious threat to the world peace and, therefore, it should be dealt with accordingly.