delegation from US Embassy vist Pak parliament house

Islamabad: 20th March, 2012

PAKISTAN-US SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE COMMON GOALS OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY: SABIR BALOCH
Pakistan-US enjoy cordial relations and we have shared objectives and common goals of security, counter terrorism, economic development and regional integration and should make concerted efforts to achieve them. Deputy Chairman Senate Sabir Baloch was expressing these views while in a meeting with two member delegation from US Embassy who called on him at Parliament House today.

The US delegation congratulated Deputy Chairman on his unopposed election for this esteemed position from the province of Balochistan. While talking about recommendations put forth by Parliamentary Committee on National Security, the Deputy Chairman said that these recommendations were formulated unanimously as the members belonging to various political parties were on board and after further deliberations and discussions in the Parliament in the upcoming sitting they will take final shape and determine contours of our revised foreign policy.

While sharing his views regarding Afghanistan quagmire and its final settlement, he said, “Peace in Afghanistan is must for the world peace and hence for its sake we must stick together. Pakistan’s role is crucial for success of peace talks and we fully support peace efforts to achieve this end. As outlined in President Obama ‘s speech the US and its coalition partners must settle things right before their exit from Afghanistan in order to have a self sustainable and peaceful Afghan region”.

Responding the US Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Jonathan Pratt said, “We are working towards sorting various immediate and long terms problems. We have started transferring detainees to Afghan Army as well as working through long term strategic support to Afghan Army”.


Deliberating on problems in Balochistan Deputy Chairman said, “No doubt Balochistan is a neglected region and people of Balochistan have been asking for their rights for long times. Now present government under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have decided to leave no stone unturned to address the grievances of Balochistan which have piled up over the years. President Zardari both in his official and personal capacity held several meetings with Balochi people belonging to different walks of life including students, teachers, tribal elders and politicians in order to identify the real problem to seek its ultimate solution. The political will to address grievances of Balochis is further depicted by Aghaz-i-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package by the present government.

Both short term and long term measures in this regard are being adopted. Short term include provision of employment, education, healthcare, electricity and addressing poverty of the region. Long terms include construction of dams, infrastructure and communication networks development for better connectivity and ultimate socio-economic uplift of Balochistan. Sabir Baloch expressed this hope that we will be able to resolve the problems of Balochistan by grace of God.

Deputy Chairman Senate thanked for US military support and assistance to Pakistan but stressed the need that US must give attention to needs of people of Pakistan to win their hearts and minds.

The US Deputy Chief of Mission responded that US is diverting larger chunk of its aid to civil sector for socio-economic uplift of people of Pakistan.