WASHINGTON, July 20: Pakistan will send troops to Iraq if it's in its national interests to do so and not because a Pakistani is heading the UN mission in Baghdad, says Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi.

Mr Qazi, who last week was appointed UN Secretary General's special representative to Iraq, told a meeting in Washington on Monday evening he was not going to Iraq with an American agenda.

"There's absolutely no linkage between my appointment and any decision Pakistan might take about sending its troops to Iraq," he said. Pakistan, he said, was an independent and sovereign country, "which will take an independent and sovereign decision about sending troops to Iraq."

Mr Qazi, who still is serving as Pakistan's ambassador to Washington, said Islamabad will take into account not only the security situation and public opinion in Iraq "but also the public opinion in Pakistan" before taking any decision.

"There's another misperception that because I am serving in Washington, I am taking some specific agenda with me to Iraq. Both impressions are wrong. I am going with a mandate from the UN Security Council and from Washington."

Mr Qazi said the UN Security Council resolution 1546 spells out "the political and electoral tasks and the humanitarian work" the world body plans to do in Iraq.

Adopted on June 4, the resolution calls for holding direct democratic elections not later than Jan 31, 2005 and for forming a constitutionally elected government by Dec 31, 2005.

It endorses the presence of the multinational force in Iraq and also calls for the formation of a UN-led force of 4,000 soldiers to protect the UN mission. "In his farewell speech to the largely-attended summer youth conference at the Pakistan Embassy, Mr Qazi also outlined his plan for stabilizing Iraq and enabling the Iraqi people to elect their government.

"We will be aiming for national elections for an interim government next January, after which there will be a huge effort to assist in bringing about consensus for an Iraq constitution," said Mr Qazi.

The proposed constitution, he said, would be submitted to a referendum and once it's approved by the Iraqi people, "general elections will be held for a permanently constitutionally elected government, hopefully by the beginning of 2006."

"And that will complete the transition to a political and stable setup in Iraq," he added. "That's our agenda and it is the agenda given to us by the UN Security Council. I assure you that there's no other agenda."

Mr Qazi's emphasis on Iraq took the focus away from an otherwise hugely successful youth conference aimed at encouraging young Pakistani-Americans to join the mainstream political process.

The Pakistani-American Liaison Centre brought together more than a 100 young Pakistanis from across the United States, encouraging them to "go beyond traditional professions such as medicines and computers," as Pakistan's deputy chief of mission, Mohammed Sadiq, said in his speech.

About a dozen chiefs of staffs and congressional staffers encouraged the youths to work on the Hill and offered guidance in pursuing their careers in politics.

"We need to go beyond the issues and problems we bring with us from Pakistan and play an active role in the society we live in," said Nayyera Haq, press adviser to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

"Remember, don't be marginalized. Be a part of the mainstream," said Umair Khan, who worked with Congressman Michael M. Honda. Jameel Aalim-Johson, chief of staff to Congressman Gregory W. Meeks, said even those who do not want to make politics a career can benefit greatly from their experience on the Hill.

Leon Buck, chief of staff for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson, said most US lawmakers look for diversity and would welcome young Pakistanis interested in working with them.

Dr Nasim Ashraf, chairman of the National Commission on Human Development, urged the Pakistanis to learn to be a leading force in US domestic and international politics.

He said by taking an active part in the mainstream politics in America, the young Pakistani can not only help their community but can also promote Pakistan's interests in this country.