WASHINGTON, Oct 17: The United States and Pakistan are facing several common challenges but terrorism is the most significant one, says Senator Hillary Clinton.

She was addressing a large number of Pakistani-American at a reception held in Los Angeles.

Lauding Pakistan's role in the war against terrorism, she said that it was in the US interest to maintain a long-term relationship with Pakistan.

Senator Hillary Clinton recalled her meetings with President Gen Pervez Musharraf, especially during her last visit to Pakistan, and said: "He had made difficult but right choices."

She said that Pakistan should be extended all the support it needed for social uplift of its population, human resource development and particularly revamping of its educational system.

The reception was hosted by Rehman Jinnah, a prominent Pakistani businessman and director of Pakistani-American Liaison Centre (PAL-C).

Pakistan embassy's charge d'affaires Mohammad Sadiq and Consul-General Noor Mohammad Jadmani also attended the reception.

Senator Clinton lauded the Aga Khan Foundation's contribution towards social uplift and improvement of educational opportunities for the people of Pakistan.

At the reception, Mohammad Sadiq and Mr Jadmani met with Senator Hillary Clinton and the mayor of Los Angeles, James Hahn.

During his stay in California, the acting Pakistan ambassador also held a meeting with the leader of the opposition in the Congress, Rep Nancy Pelosi, in which matters of bilateral interest were discussed.

Earlier, at a meeting organized by the Council of Pakistan American Affairs in Orange County, Mr Sadiq said the embassy would continue to do its best to seek best returns for Pakistani-Americans.

Community activists, who attended the ceremony, were Parvaiz Lodhi, Ahmad Ali, Hamid Malik, and Faiz Rehman, executive director of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus.-APP