January 06, 2009	Tuesday	Muharram 08, 1430

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari assured US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher on Monday that Pakistan was committed to fighting terrorism and appreciated the positive role played by the United States for defusing tensions between Pakistan and India.

According to an official announcement, during a meeting between President Zardari and Mr Boucher, the president conferred Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam for the valuable services he rendered for strengthening Pakistan-US relations.

Mr Boucher thanked the president for the honour and said he would continue his services for Pakistan-US relations.

The president stressed the need for eradicating terrorism and said that Pakistan was pursuing a policy of cooperative partnership in the region.

Mr Zardari expressed the hope that his visit to Afghanistan this week would enhance cooperation in security, counter-terrorism and economic development of the people of both countries.

He said that Pakistan valued a stable, broad-based and long-term relationship with the US for promoting regional peace, security and development. “Bilateral relations would continue to grow,” the president said. Mr Boucher praised Pakistan’s contributions in the war against terrorism.