WASHINGTON: Economic cooperation should be the key focus of Pakistan-US relations as the two countries look to build their ties in the backdrop of a tension-filled phase, an expert on South Asia said.

Dr Nisar Chaudhry, President of Pakistan American League, underscored in an interview that national security is actually the translation of economic strength.

Therefore, the Pakistani policy makers and far-sighted people in the United States should work on strengthening the trade and economic foundations of the relationship, he noted, in the wake of Washington's overriding focus on getting security cooperation from Pakistan, particularly on the lingering war in Afghanistan.

Chaudhry, who frequently interacts with Washington think tanks, suggested that the two countries needed to move forward while taking into account their mutual interests.

Domestically, he said, the priority should be on achieving stability through continuation of the democratic process.

The people of Pakistan must have their faith in democratic system and the government, for its part, should strive for better education, security and health of the people.