ISLAMABAD: Highlighting the economic situation of the country, President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday emphasized upon the need for greater international support by way of facilitating trade at this critical time.
"We have prioritized trade, not aid, to overcome our financial difficulties, the President said.
"We need preferential market access to support our economy from the adverse impacts of ongoing struggle against militancy and to rehabilitate and reconstruct damaged infrastructure due to devastating floods," he added.
The President was talking to a US Congressional delegation comprising: Senator Robert Corker, Senator Bernard Sanders, Senator Christopher Coons and Senator Joseph Manchin,which called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Saturday.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter was also present along with other officials.
Pakistan side included: Secretary General to the President, M. Salman Faruqui, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam, MNA Ms. Farahnaz Ispahani, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar.
Matters relating to Pak-US bilateral relations, war against militancy, Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) and security situation in the region came under discussion during the meeting.
The President urged the visiting delegation to use its influence to secure enhanced market access and more trade for Pakistan.
He said that geo-strategic location of Pakistan provides the country an unparalleled advantage of transit trade.
The members of the delegation appreciated the country's struggle against militancy and assured the US continued support in this regard to the people and the Government of Pakistan.
The President also reiterated his call for expediting passage of ROZs legislation to create economic opportunities for the people who are worst hit due to scourge of militancy.
Talking about regional situation, the President said that a stable, peaceful and prosperous region was what the country has always longed and worked for.
In reply to a question about Pak-India talks, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said that the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries recently had a fruitful meeting and the two sides had agreed to resume full spectrum of dialogue. The first meeting will be scheduled in New Delhi next month, he said.
The delegation thanked the President for meeting. They also stressed the need for long-term and multifaceted relations between Pakistan and the United States to further consolidate existing mutual relations and cooperation.
"We have prioritized trade, not aid, to overcome our financial difficulties, the President said.
"We need preferential market access to support our economy from the adverse impacts of ongoing struggle against militancy and to rehabilitate and reconstruct damaged infrastructure due to devastating floods," he added.
The President was talking to a US Congressional delegation comprising: Senator Robert Corker, Senator Bernard Sanders, Senator Christopher Coons and Senator Joseph Manchin,which called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Saturday.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter was also present along with other officials.
Pakistan side included: Secretary General to the President, M. Salman Faruqui, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam, MNA Ms. Farahnaz Ispahani, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar.
Matters relating to Pak-US bilateral relations, war against militancy, Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) and security situation in the region came under discussion during the meeting.
The President urged the visiting delegation to use its influence to secure enhanced market access and more trade for Pakistan.
He said that geo-strategic location of Pakistan provides the country an unparalleled advantage of transit trade.
The members of the delegation appreciated the country's struggle against militancy and assured the US continued support in this regard to the people and the Government of Pakistan.
The President also reiterated his call for expediting passage of ROZs legislation to create economic opportunities for the people who are worst hit due to scourge of militancy.
Talking about regional situation, the President said that a stable, peaceful and prosperous region was what the country has always longed and worked for.
In reply to a question about Pak-India talks, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said that the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries recently had a fruitful meeting and the two sides had agreed to resume full spectrum of dialogue. The first meeting will be scheduled in New Delhi next month, he said.
The delegation thanked the President for meeting. They also stressed the need for long-term and multifaceted relations between Pakistan and the United States to further consolidate existing mutual relations and cooperation.
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