November 10, 2006	Friday	Shawwal 17, 1427

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LAHORE, Nov 9: US ambassador in Pakistan Ryan C Crocker has said the ongoing war on international terrorism is very critical for the United States, Pakistan and all other allies.

Talking to journalists at a ceremony held at Alhamra to distribute certificates among the participants of US-funded ‘Access to English programme” here on Thursday afternoon, he condemned Wednesday’s suicide attack in Dargai, terming it a ‘sad example’.

“We condole with the bereaved families of the Jawans who died in this tragic incident,” he said.

On the results of Nov 7 mid-term elections, Mr Crocker said these would not affect Pakistan-US relations and reiterated that both the countries were close allies in the war on terrorism.

Earlier, addressing the participants of graduation ceremony, Mr Crocker said the US was extending all possible financial support to Pakistan for the promotion of education sector here. He said the US was providing $65 million aid this year for strengthening education sector in Pakistan.

“We have been contributing an amount of $200 million to Pakistan for the development of social sector under the Public Sector Development Programme,” he said.

He said both the countries were having continuous strategic cooperation in the fields of security, regional stability, science and technology, commerce and trade and education.

“About 100 Pakistani students avail Fulbright scholarship programme and visit the US every year to earn their master’s and doctorate degrees in various subjects,” Mr Crocker said.

He hoped the Access English programme would further strengthen the ties between the two countries on people-to-people basis.

The US ambassador also appreciated the performance of the programme graduates who presented tableaus on the occasion.

Under the programme, a grant of $150,000 was given to local NGO, CARE (Cooperation for Advancement, Rehabilitation and Education), in 2004 which enabled 200 students of different government schools to learn written and spoken English in an American-style classroom environment.

The programme, which started in Lahore, has been extended to Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Multan and Gwadar.—APP

Our reporter adds: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi said foreign and local investment was increasing in the country because of the excellent economic policies of the government, generating more job opportunities and reducing poverty.

He was talking to US ambassador Ryan C Crocker who called on him here. Lahore American Consulate’s Principal Officer Bryan Hunt and Public Affairs Officer Kathy Eagan accompanied the envoy.

The chief minister said Pakistan was playing an important role in supporting global efforts to eliminate extremism and terrorism under the leadership of Gen Pervez Musharraf.

He said relations between the two countries stood on strong footings and their mutual cooperation would further be improved. The US was playing an important role in social development sector in Pakistan.

The chief minister praised the US for providing financial assistance for the restoration of Masjid Wazir Khan and other historical monuments.

He informed the ambassador about the education reforms programme in the province, and said promotion of the sector was an important part of the government’s policy. The promotion of education would not only strengthen norms of peace, co-existence and brotherhood but also positively reflect on poverty reduction and economic programme.

The chief minister said modern treatment facilities were being ensured by upgrading basic and rural health centres and tehsil and district headquarter hospitals under the health sector reforms programme. Doctors working in BHUs were being given attractive salaries, transport, residences and other facilities.

Emergency wards of all hospitals in the province had been modernised, providing free medical treatment to patients there. New hospitals of world standard were being established in the province.

He said special measures were being adopted to develop infrastructure and human resource in the province.

Mr Crocker said relations between Pakistan and America stood on strong footings and cooperation between them in trade and commerce was being further promoted.