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NEW YORK, Sept 24: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Inamul Haque on Monday discussed with top US officials the possibilities of expanding the US economic assistance to Pakistan, including a free-trade agreement between the two countries.
Talking to Dawn on Tuesday after meetings with the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage and the National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice, the minister described his meetings with the US officials as positive.
Haq said in context of the US economic assistance to Pakistan, the possibility of a multi-year economic assistance, an eventual free-trade agreement to give more market access to Pakistani products, and regular high level interaction between the two countries were at the core of the discussions.
He said both sides noted with satisfaction that the recently re-established Defence Consultative Group (DCG) would be holding its first meeting in Pakistan later this week. It was observed that the DCG would provide added impetus to bilateral defence collaboration and help build a closer defence relationship.
On the issue of Pakistanis detained in US since Sept 11 attacks, Haq said he raised this issue and stressed that cases of these Pakistanis should be quickly processed and finalized.
“I was assured by the US officials that there was no element of discrimination against Pakistanis and that their cases would be expedited,” he added.
Haq said in the meetings the US officials raised the issue of October elections and he assured them that the “elections will be free, fair and transparent” as there were hundreds of international observers in Pakistan, including those from European Union, Saarc, Japan and others besides a team from the FBI.
About the constitutional amendments composition and the functions of the National Security Council, Haq told the US officials that these were meant to ensure the sanctity and proper functioning of different institutions of the government, the president’s office, the executive, legislature and the army.
PAKISTAN-INDIA RELATIONS: On the issue of India-Pakistan standoff, Inamul Haq said he told the US officials that the Indian government was moving the “goalposts again” by indicating that it would not hold talks with Pakistan even after the Kashmir elections.
He said he handed over reports of the international media and some Indian civil society groups about the irregularities and malpractice in the conduct of the so-called elections in the occupied Kashmir to Richard Armitage and officials at the National Security Council.
Haq reiterated the need for substantive reciprocal steps by India in response to the actions taken by Pakistan to reduce tensions. He underscored the imperative of resumption of bilateral dialogue to de-escalate tensions and move towards resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
The US officials assured Haq that they would continue to be supportive of actions that would move the two countries towards dialogue.
Haq said that the US officials conveyed their gratitude for Pakistan’s continued unstinting support in the fight against terrorism and particularly appreciated Pakistan’s specific efforts including the recent arrests in Karachi. Inamul Haque reiterated that Pakistan’s efforts would continue till the menace of extremism was eradicated.
AFGHANISTAN: Both sides reiterated their support for the Karzai government and its efforts to build a strong and stable Afghanistan. They also underscored the need for the world community’s assistance in Afghanistan’s economic reconstruction.
Haq stressed Pakistan’s desire for developing close trade and economic ties with Afghanistan and highlighted steps taken in this direction.
