ISLAMABAD: Co-Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari has welcomed the recent visit by a US Congressional delegation hoping also that the visit will help decreasing “misgivings needed for resetting the ties between the two countries.”
In a statement issued by the PPP’s Media Centre here on Tuesday, Mr Zardari described as “positive and reassuring” Senator McCain’s comments after visiting tribal areas.
The statement was issued by Mr Zardari two days after a rare visit to North Waziristan by the US Congressional delegation to witness the gains made by security forces during Zarb-i-Azb operation against extremists and militants
The bipartisan US Congressional delegation that just concluded visit to Pakistan was led by Senator John McCane, the chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee.
Reportedly the US delegation appreciated the success achieved by Pakistan in its counter terrorism campaign as “impressively visible”.
According to reports, the congressional delegation said that they wished other members of the US Congress also witness the outcome of the successful operations in North Waziristan themselves.
Mr Zardari said Pakistan had suffered the most in the fight against militants, adding also ‘the world must recognise and appreciate it.”
“Lauding Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against militants by a bipartisan Congressional delegation indeed is most welcome,” the former president said. Such public appreciation should help in removing misunderstandings and in resetting the ties, he added.
Mr Zardari said the PPP had always been impressing upon the global community of the huge sacrifices made by it in fight against terrorism and would continue to do so whether it was in the government or in the opposition.
Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2016