May 26, 2008	Monday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 20, 1429

ISLAMABAD, May 25: Highlighting the significance of a broad-based and long-term Pakistan-US relationship, President Pervez Musharraf on Sunday underlined the importance of enhanced access for Pakistan to the US market to help build the relationship on sound economic footings and a sustainable basis.

The president was talking to US Senators Carl Levin and Robert Casey who had called on him in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan-US relations and matters related to war on terrorism were discussed in the meeting.

The president also underscored the need for accelerated progress on initiatives like reconstruction opportunity zones (ROZs), Frontier Corps (FC) and the Fata development plan.

The US senators said they supported efforts for close relations between Pakistan and the United States and exchanged views on steps to be taken to build the relationship on a forward-looking and long-term basis.

President Musharraf stressed the importance of a multi-pronged counter-terrorism strategy combining political, socio-economic development and security tracks.

Senator Carl Levin heads the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator Casey is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.—APP