Ambassador Qazi continues regular contacts with U.S. Legislators on further consolidation of Pakistan-U.S. relations

WASHINGTON, May 7 (APP)- Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi met another five U.S. Congresspersons on Wednesday and Thursday.They were: Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Congressman Doug Berenter, Congresswoman Ileana Ros Lehtienen, Congressman Howard Berman and Congresswoman Diane Watson.

Embassy sources said, in the meetings, the topics coming up under discussion included Pakistan-U.S. relations, proposed FY-05 package of economic and defense support for Pakistan, program for increasing fund allocations for education sector reforms, besides war on terror, madressah reforms and non-proliferation, dialogue process in South Asia, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The meetings are "part of the ongoing regular contacts" that Ambassador Ashraf Qazi holds with the U.S. Legislators. He has so far met 50 U.S. Senators and House Representatives, during the last three months.

Mr. Qazi sought support of the worthy lawmakers in further consolidation of the broad-based and multi-year Pakistan-U.S. relations.

Congresswoman Kaptur serves on the important appropriations committee, sub-committee on foreign operatiolns, export financing and related program, and isparticularly interested in the field of education and working with NGOs in Pakistan.

Ambassador Qazi briefed her on the reforms program being undertaken by the Government of Pakistan in education and mainstreaming of Madressah education, and welcomed any support that the Congresswoman could extend in this area.

Rep. Berenter serves on the House International Committee. He was interested in non-proliferation issues, Dr. A. Q. Khan, war on terror, al-Qaeda and whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden.

The Ambassador informed him of the swift action taken by the Government to clamp down on the clandestine international network, and underlined Pakistan's resolve to totally uproot the network and to prevent any future occurance.'

He elaborated at length the measures that have been taken, and the sacrifices made in apprehending al-Qaeda and extremists.

Berenter would be leaving Congress to head prestigious San Francisco-based Asian Foundation. He informed the Ambassador that the Foundation was undertaking useful work in Pakistan.