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Zardari asks U.S. to prepare plan for Pakistan's economic development

01 August 2013 21:16 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday urged the international community, particularly the United States to prepare a "Marshall plan" for his country's economic development and stability as terrorism has badly hit the country's economy, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

He said this during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Islamabad, a presidential spokesman said.

"The people of Pakistan have immensely suffered during the ongoing war on militancy and terrorism. Therefore, the international community is under obligation to give our people peace dividend through massive economic assistance, energy development and greater market access," the president said.

Pak-U.S. bilateral relations, reconciliation in Afghanistan, drone attacks and global and regional issues were discussed during the meeting, the spokesman said.

President Zardari said the U.S. drone attacks violate Pakistan' s sovereignty and territorial integrity and also cast negative impact on mutual desire of both countries to forge a cordial and cooperative relationship and to ensure peace and stability in the region.

He called for an end to the drone attacks and said that these strikes are counter-productive, entail loss of innocent civilian lives and also fuel anti-American feelings.

He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to continue to play its helpful role in restoring peace, stability and development in Afghanistan, adding that Pakistan believes in regional peace and security.

He also reiterated Pakistan's resolve to continue to fight the menace of terrorism till its logical conclusion.

Kerry, who arrived in Islamabad late Wednesday, also met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the army Chief General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani and discussed bilateral matters, focusing on the war on terror.

Kerry did not give any hint to stop the drone strikes despite repeated calls by Pakistani leaders.

He delivered invitation to the prime minister from President Barrack Obama to visit the United States.

Sharif also raised the issue of drone strikes and demanded immediate end to these attacks.

Both countries also agreed to revive the strategic dialogue, suspended following the NATO attack on a Pakistani post in November 2011 that left 24 soldiers dead.

Kerry was the first senior American official to visit Pakistan since the new government assumed office in June.