WASHINGTON: The United States supports Pakistan’s efforts to stand up against the extremists, says US Secretary of State John Kerry in a message released to greet the country on its Independence Day.

Secretary Kerry also noted that America’s security partnership with Pakistan remained critical and pledged to invest with Pakistan “in our shared security”.

The US diplomat underlined the importance of stability in Pakistan and in the South Asian region, which, he said, “underpins all of our other shared efforts.”

“We support efforts by Pakistan’s civil society and government to stand up against extremists,” he said. “We stand by your side in the struggle to develop a Pakistan where Pakistanis have a say and a stake in the nation’s success.

Referring to his efforts as a lawmaker to promote US-Pakistan relations, Mr Kerry said that building stronger ties with the people of Pakistan has long been “a personal commitment’ of him.

“In the Senate, I was privileged to sponsor what became known as the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Bill, which continues to provide support for a more stable, peaceful, and prosperous Pakistan,” he said.

“As secretary of state, I have been pleased to work to strengthen this relationship. Since Pakistan’s historic elections last May, the United States and Pakistan have enjoyed great cooperation across the entire spectrum of issues from energy to security to education,” he said.

“Our two nations have long understood that education is the most important road to prosperity for the next generation. In keeping with that commitment, the United States now invests more in our Fulbright programme in Pakistan than anywhere else in the world,” Mr Kerry added.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2014