US, Pak realise broad-based ties in mutual political and security interest: Haqqani

Washington, Dec 12 (ANI): The United States and Pakistan, which have been fighting terrorism since 9/11, have realised that an enduring and broad-based relationship is in their mutual political and security interest, Pakistan's Ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani, has said.

"There are important qualitative differences between previous periods of friendship and present (partnership). This time the process is led by a popularly elected democratic government in Pakistan," the Daily Times quoted Haqqani, as saying to a gathering at the City Club of Cleveland.

Haqqani was characterising in his speech the current state of relationship between Pakistan and America, which stands in contrast to the past periods of engagement during which Pakistan always had dictatorial regimes.

The relationship, at present, is as strong and as vibrant as it has ever been during the last six decades, he said, citing the high-level Strategic Dialogue and measures such as Kerry-Lugar-Berman economic assistance programme in his presentation.

Pakistan offers tremendous economic opportunity, and many multinational US companies are doing good business in Pakistan even in these difficult times, said Haqqani.

There are also larger political dividends to the US investment in Pakistan, he argued, while remarking that Pakistan is one of the few genuine democracies in the Muslim world.

"Pakistan has the freest press and the most independent judiciary. It has a vigorous and vibrant civil society. Above all there is a parliament that has shaken off the last vestiges of authoritarian rule and has reclaimed all its powers," Haqqani added. (ANI)