WASHINGTON, Sept 22: The United States and Pakistan have agreed to pursue a roadmap of cooperation under which their working groups will meet in the next three months to reinvigorate bilateral work in key areas of interest, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said. The agreement was reached during Ms Khar’s meeting with her American counterpart Hillary Clinton.

“We have agreed on a roadmap of cooperation to advance relations in a sustainable way and under this five working groups will meet in the next three months,” Ms Khar told Washington-based Pakistani reporters.

The groups will deal with areas of security, strategic stability and non-proliferation, counter-terrorism and law enforcement, energy and water, economic, finance and trade cooperation and defence consultative group.

The foreign minister said that during her meetings with senior American officials, including US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, she advocated Pakistan’s case for preferential market access in view of the multifaceted challenges facing the country.

“I found understanding on the issue and I hope for progress on it.”

At a meeting with USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, she expressed Pakistan’s interest in support for the Bhasha dam since the project would greatly help the country in overcoming energy shortage. “We had a frank, honest discussion on all issues, including a long discussion on drones,” she said.—APP