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Pakistani PM meets U.S. delegation, vows smooth power transition

07 January 2013 23:17 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Monday told a visiting U.S. congressional delegation that his government is committed to ensuring a smooth transition of power after holding free, fair and impartial elections, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

The delegation comprising Chairman of the U.S. Senate's Armed Services Committee Senator Carl Levin and member of the Committee Senator Jack Reed held discussions on matters of bilateral interest, the PM office said.

The prime minister said that elections and power transition would be a historic achievement of the government as this would be the first civilian government to have completed its tenure in the history of Pakistan.

Parliamentary elections are due in a few months and the current assemblies will complete their term in mid-March.

About bilateral relationship, the prime minister expressed the hope that relations between the two countries will be further strengthened in the interest of the region and the world.

He said that Pakistan values its relations with the United States which is its most important economic partner.

Talking about Afghanistan and the post-withdrawal scenario after 2014 when the U.S. troops withdraw from Afghanistan, the prime minister said that Pakistan desires peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Welcoming the re-election of President Barak Obama, the prime minister said it will ensure continuity in relations and also appreciated the services of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He also welcomed the nomination of Senator John Kerry as the new secretary of state.

Senator Karl Levin and Senator Jack Reed said the world was looking with great interest the next general elections in Pakistan, a statement from the PM office said, adding that they said relations between the two countries are on the right track.

The U.S. delegation also called on Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and had discussions focused on Pakistan-U.S. relationship and the evolving regional situation.