ISLAMABAD, Oct 29: The growing economic cooperation between Pakistan and the United States will further strengthen their bilateral ties, says Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

He said the two countries were already cooperating in political, economic, defence and social sectors and said enhanced economic cooperation would further bolster their ties.

He was talking to the outgoing US Ambassador to Pakistan Nancy J. Powell who paid a farewell call on him at the Prime Minister House here on Friday. Prime Minister Aziz appreciated the envoy's role in promotion of Pak-US relations.

He congratulated her on new assignment in the State Department and expressed the hope that she would continue to play a positive role in promotion of Pak-US relations. He noted that the US aid programme has had a positive impact on bilateral relations.

He said the private sectors of both US and Pakistan need to cooperate and work jointly for strengthening economic relations. He said Pakistan would expect a level playing field and better market access in US for its exports.

The private sector in the country, Mr Aziz said, had developed rapidly during the past five years and the textile and garment industry were producing quality products. The prime minister said Pakistani community in US, who had been contributing a great deal in the development of the US, was peaceful, enterprising and enlightened.

He said a large number of Pakistani students were studying in US who were creating linkages between the two nations. He urged the US envoy to work for providing better facilities in visa and on arrival at the US airports to Pakistanis. Nancy Powell thanked the Prime Minister and the government for facilitating her stay. -APP