March 28, 2008	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 19, 1429

KARACHI, March 27: US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher had a meeting with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan at the Governor’s House on Thursday.

They held talks for about one and a half hours on bilateral cooperation, obtaining economic and social conditions in the province, development works and anti-terrorism efforts.

Dr Ibad said effective results of steps taken for the stability of democracy in the country were forthcoming. He said the success of the journey for democracy would guarantee the success of steps against terrorism and improvement in every sector.

He said Pakistan had played a significant role in combating terrorism and Sindh had played a leading role in this effort, whereby major networks of terrorists were destroyed and people provided with a peaceful environment.

The governor also dilated on development activities in various fields, investment opportunities, economic progress and also in relation to education, health and other basic facilities.

The visitors said the US attached great importance to its relations with Pakistan and wanted further promotion of bilateral ties.

They appreciated the development activities in the province, particularly in Karachi.Mr Negroponte invited the governor on a visit to the US and showed interest in investment opportunities and in the fields of health and education and called for further increase in the links between the two countries.

They also called on City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal in his office on the last leg of their tour.

During the meeting, which lasted for 55 minutes, the US diplomats discussed matters of mutual interest and exchanged views on the development process and foreign investors focusing on Karachi.

The US officials praised the timely completion of development works, especially the infrastructure.—APP/PPI