WASHINGTON: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi called on American Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns here at the State Department and discussed Pakistan-US relations.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Jalil Abbas Jilani, accompanied Fatemi during the meeting. Deputy Secretary Burns was assisted by Dan Feldman, Principal Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

According to the Pakistani embassy here, Tariq Fatemi briefed the deputy secretary on the ongoing operation in North Waziristan and highlighted the government's commitment to combat terrorism and extremism in all its forms, in a comprehensive and consensus-based approach. He further expressed the government's commitment to eliminate all terrorists without any distinction.

The special assistant reiterated Pakistan's commitment in maintaining cordial relations with all its neighbours, including Afghanistan and India.

Deputy Secretary Burns recalled his last visit to Islamabad and fruitful meetings with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other leaders. He appreciated Pakistan's stabilizing role in the region.

He reaffirmed the US support for the prime minister's economic development plan with special focus on energy and fighting extremism.

He also lauded the Prime Minister's peace initiative with India and hoped that it would help bring prosperity to the people of the two countries.

Special Assistant Fatemi thanked the United States for its continued support for Pakistan's major energy projects including the Dasu Hydral project.

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