ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi Tuesday informed US Congressman Chris Stewart of Pakistan’s disappointment at the news that the Pentagon had decided not to certify about the concerted and forceful measures taken against the Haqqani network.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US Congressman Chris Stewart called on Tariq Fatemi and discussed issues of mutual interest with the special assistant here in the federal capital.
A Republican Party member from Utah’s Second Congressional District, Congressman Chris Stewart serves as a member of the House Appropriations Committee and the House Intelligence Committee.
Welcoming Congressman Stewart on his maiden visit to Pakistan, Tariq Fatemi appreciated the positive role and invaluable support by the US Congress for democracy in Pakistan over the years.
He underscored the importance of deepening cooperation between the elected legislatures of the two countries, noting that Pakistan, as a vibrant democracy, had a lot to learn from the United States.
Fatemi highlighted the importance that Pakistan attached to a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with the US. He said certain recent developments warranted closer cooperation and better understanding.
The special assistant said frequent visits such as that of Congressman Steward and earlier one led by Senator John McCain would help promote this objective.
Linking the release of Coalition Support Funds (CSF) to specific actions by Pakistan, Fatemi noted, was not consistent with the spirit of the CSF which in fact was a reimbursement for the expenses incurred by Pakistan in supporting wider counter-terrorism efforts in the region post-9/11.
In his remarks, Congressman Chris Stewart noted that the US Congress recognised the efforts and sacrifices made by the Pakistani nation and its armed forces in the fight against terrorism.
He added that the visit had provided him a deeper understanding of the Pakistan-US bilateral cooperation in counterterrorism and towards the joint efforts by Quadrilateral Coordination Group in restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan.
