ISLAMABAD, April 7: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Saturday told a visiting American Congressional delegation that it was essential to ensure that any legislation adopted by the US Congress reinforced not undercut the Pakistan-US strategic cooperation.

He made this point when a seven-member bipartisan Congressional delegation, led by Congresswoman Nita Lowey, called on him at his Camp Office in Rawalpindi. Congresswoman Lowey is member of the House Committee on Appropriations and is chairperson of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Appropriations. She is also a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

During the meeting at which Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri and the US Embassy’s Charge d’ Affaires, Peter W. Bodde, were also present, the president advocated the need for the US Congress to continue to support initiatives to broaden and deepen Pakistan-US relations in diverse areas, a Foreign Office statement said.

In this context he underscored the need for initiation of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement to boost trade and investment links to strengthen the bilateral relationship.

While reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to fight extremism and terrorism, he stressed that Members of Congress should play an important part in fostering better understanding of Pakistan’s strong efforts to fight extremism and terrorism and enhancing counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries.

—Q.A.