ISLAMABAD, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- The opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif stressed the need for establishing Pakistan-U.S. relationship based on mutual trust and interest during a meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the eastern city of Lahore on Thursday.

    Sharif, also a former prime minister, recalled that Pakistan had been an important friend and ally of the United States and the two countries had cooperated on many important global issues.

    Sharif expressed his appreciation for President Obama's policy of dialogue and engagement with all countries especially the Muslim world, which he believed would help foster understanding, reduce tensions and facilitate the resolution of regional and global differences.

    He recalled that President Obama had stressed during the election campaign that the U.S. should work towards promoting normalization between Pakistan and India and facilitating resolution of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. This was a most positive concept that now needs to be given official shape, he said.

    Any U.S. initiative towards achieving this objective would be welcomed by the people of Pakistan as resolution of the Kashmir issue would make a meaningful contribution to establishing peace and stability in the region, he said.

    Clinton said the U.S. wants elimination of terrorism and in order to achieve this goal it will extend all out support to Pakistan.

    She said peace in South Asia is essential for the entire world.

    Clinton arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday morning to start her three-day trip to Pakistan. She met with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani respectively on Wednesday evening. 



Hillary Clinton: U.S. committed to helping Pakistan 

    ISLAMABAD, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the United States is committed to helping Pakistan achieve the goal of sustainable and durable democracy.

    Addressing the students of the Government College University in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on Thursday, Clinton acknowledged that there were last opportunities of strengthening relationship between the two countries but the United States would not repeat that history. Full story