NEW YORK, March 9: Calling for unimpeded US assistance for the new democratic government in Pakistan, former prime minister Shaukat Aziz said the two countries should focus on strengthening the relationship, deepening and broadening multi-faceted cooperation and promoting greater people-to-people friendship.

Underscoring that the elections had proved that majority of Pakistanis were “progressive and moderate”, he expressed the hope that the new government would “take Pakistan forward on the path of stability, development and progress”. He was addressing a large audience on Saturday at the Pacific Council on International Policy, a Los Angeles-based think tank.

“Pakistan-US relations are important for both countries as well as for peace, security and development at the regional as well as international levels.”

While noting that “one of the key challenges is effectively dealing with difference of perceptions on some important issues”, Mr Aziz observed “despite a close relationship between the two sides, anti-Americanism in Pakistan or misunderstandings about Pakistan and its society in the US commitment to fight terrorism and extremism and its contribution and sacrifices in the counter-terrorism struggle are not always fully recognised in the US”.

“Continued assertions that Pakistan is not doing enough to combat terrorism contribute to a perception of mistrust about the relationship. There have also been threatening statements about the possible military strikes against terrorist targets inside our tribal areas. In order to avoid any negative fallout there has to be a realistic appreciation of the scope of counter-terrorism cooperation and better understanding of Pakistan’s contribution and sacrifices in this endeavour”, he added.

Mr Aziz asserted: “It is imperative to avoid any assertions or action that would undermine our sovereignty, be inconsistent with international law, unacceptable to the people of Pakistan and detrimental to the ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation.”

He said Pakistan did not need external help because its armed forces were capable of dealing with any situation. “Given your own experience in Iraq, the US should better appreciate the challenges before us.”

Stressing that Pakistanis were also disturbed over the kind of negative media projection of Pakistan in the US, Aziz said: “One major case in point is the alleged vulnerability of Pakistan’s nuclear assets. These assets are under multi-layered, institutionalised command and control structures and completely safe and secure.”