PAKISTAN

ISLAMABAD: The visiting US secretary of state Hillary Clinton Wednesday lauded Pakistan’s role in the war against terror, and said, “America wants to start a new era of friendship with Pakistan.”

"Pakistan is in the midst of an ongoing struggle against tenacious and brutal extremist groups who kill innocent people and terrorise communities," Clinton told a news conference along with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi following what she called a "barrage" of recent attacks.

The United States will stand shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan in its fight against "brutal extremist groups", visiting Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday after a massive bomb blast.

"This is our struggle as well and we commend the Pakistan military for their courageous fight and... (we) stand should to shoulder with the Pakistan people in our fight for peace and security," she said.

"We will give you the help that you need," the top US diplomat added.



Calling her visit to Pakistan as a vital one, she assured USA’s support to Pakistani forces in the fight against terrorism.

She said that USA and Pakistan are facing common security threat, thus war on terror is not only important for Pakistan, but it is also equally significant for USA.

US wants strong relations with Pakistan, the US secretary State said, adding, consensus was reached on Pak-US strategic dialogue during her meeting with Pakistani Foreign Foreign Minister.

She pointed out that Pakistani officials have raised the issue of energy crisis in every meeting. “US is cognizant of the fact that current energy crisis in Pakistan is affecting the industrial development in the country, posing a real threat to its economic growth.”

To overcome the energy crisis in Pakistan, the US serectary of state said USA is announcing an energy program for Pakistan under which help will be extended to Pakistan towards raising the power generation capacity of Tarbela dam.

Hillary Clinton said USA also intends to back Pakistan in the fields of education, infrastructure and health facilities. She emphasized that both the nations are already cooperating with each other in various fields. “US also wants to cooperate with Pakistan for its industrial sector.”

She stressed the significance of furthering Pak-US strategic dialogue. Both the countries have agreed on mutual cooperation and appreciation.

“The US wants to see a responsible democratic government in Pakistan, as well as economic progress in the country,” she hoped, adding “we can build an ideal future for the coming generations of both the countries.”