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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said Pakistan wanted an enduring partnership with the United States and a relationship beyond cooperation on terrorism.
In his meeting with US Senator John McCain at the PM House, Prime Minister Gilani said he looked forward to a deeper level of engagement with the United States in all areas of bilateral relations, including energy and economic cooperation.
Prime Minister Gilani appreciated Senator John McCain's continued support to Pakistan in the US Congress and said he would welcome the visit by the US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.
Later, President Asif Ali Zardari also met with Senator McCain at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
“We need to build framework for an enduring strategic partnership,” said President Zardari.
He said that Pakistan has been the worst sufferer in the war against terror and has suffered losses that exceed in quantum to any other nation.
He said that with direct and indirect economic losses equaling to $ 68 billion and 35000 martyrs behind us, we were determined to pursue this war till its logical conclusion.
“Our commitment remains above-board and without even slightest shadow of doubt,” the President emphasized.
Senator McCain acknowledged that relations between the US and Pakistan had seen difficult times in the past.
He said the US considered Pakistan as an important country and it was not in America's national interest to abandon Pakistan once again.
He assured of the United States' continued support to the people of Pakistan in their efforts to secure a stable and prosperous future.
The US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter, Minister for Interior Rehman Malik, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.
