John Kerry met with President Zardari

Islamabad, 19 October 2009: US Senator John F. KerryJohn F. Kerry today called on President Asif Ali ZardariAsif Ali Zardari in presidency. He was accompanied with the US Ambassador in Islamabad Ms. Anne W. Patterson and  senior officials of the Embassy in  Islamabad and US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.   Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood QureshiShah Mehmood Qureshi, Mr. Shaukat Tarin, Finance Minister, and Mr. Rehman A.  Malik, Interior Minister, were also present during the meeting.   Briefing the media, Spokesperson to the President former Senator Mr. Farhatullah BabarFarhatullah Babar said that matters relating to Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, bilateral relations, fight against militancy and terrorism and regional situation were discussed during the meeting.   Senator John Kerry said that as laid in the Joint Explanatory Statement, the core intent of the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act is to demonstrate the American people’s long-term commitment to the people of Pakistan. He hoped that this long-term assistance would help in bringing about qualitative change in the lives of the people of Pakistan, especially in the areas worst hit by militancy, through direct investment in needed areas such as infrastructural development, schools, roads and medical clinics.   Talking to Senator Kerry, President Asif Ali Zardari thanked the US leadership for supporting democracy in Pakistan and said that he looked forward to Secretary Clinton’s visit to Islamabad and holding of US-Pak Strategic Dialogue.   Mr. Babar said that President Zardari expressed the hope that ROZs legislation would soon be approved and counter productive labour provision will be softened. He said that Pakistan looked forward to enhancement of area as well as product coverage in the ROZs scheme. He said that ROZs should not be seen as trade concession measures but an effective instrument to quell militancy and extremism.   The President also asked the US Senator to use his influence for timely reimbursement of over one billion dollars on account of CSF to Pakistan.   Senator Kerry thanked the President for meeting him and assured that U.S. would continue to provide all possible assistance to the democratic dispensation in Pakistan in strengthening democracy, rule of law, sustainable economic development and its capability to effectively take on militants.    *** This Message Has Been Sent Using BlackBerry Internet Service from Mobilink ***