Ups and downs-natural phenomemon of a dynamic relationship

WASHINGTON, May 11 (APP)- The Deputy Chief of the Mission (DCM), Pakistan Embassy, has said that ups and down are but a natural phenomenon in a dynamic relationship, and the same was visible over the past half a century of Pak-U.S. relations, "which now are close and cordial, as ever: multi-faceted and multi-year."

He said this while delivering a lecture on Pakistan-U.S. relations at the Foreign Services Training Institute, at the State Department, attended by officers undertaking training for posting abroad. He was the main speaker at concluding session of the lecture series.

Mr. Mohammad Sadiq said dynamic relations offer challenges and opportunities, and wisdom and expertise demand to transcend challenges and grab opportunities to the best advantage of the people.

He threw light on Pakistan's superb conduct of foreign policy, which has given immense laurels to the nation, and a boost to its principled stands, and referred to the domestic and international challenges.

Domestically, he said efforts were afoot to fight poverty, extend health cover and improve rate of literacy, "which tasks were being vigoriously pursued."

The international challenges are, such as, working towards strengthening of the cause of peace and stability in South Asia towards which leaps ahead were made in the recent past; efforts aimed at resolution of Kashmir issue, to which both Pakistan and India have committed to hold dialogue process under composite talks.

He also referred to the confidence building measures adopted in the wake of successful January 2004 SAARC Summit in Islamabad.

Pakistan, he said was a close ally of the United States in the ongoing war on terror, and referred to the various concrete measures taken by the Government in respect of pursuing the declared policy of "enlightened moderation."

He said, extremist tendencies have been checked and economic sovereignty had been attained, "which by itself is no lesser an accomplishment."

On drug trafficking, Mr. Sadiq said Pakistan had attained the status of poppy-free country two years ago, in the wake of assiduous efforts of the Pakistan Government. "The issue of poppy has been addressed, but we do face the challenge of poppy grown and manufactured in Afghanistan."

Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, he said "is directly linked with war lordism."

"Pakistan firmly believes in supporting Karzai government, for the cause of stability and development in Afghanistan," DCM Mohammad Sadiq said, adding: "We believe that Afghanistan need a national army to enforce law and order and achieve stability in the country."

He said: "no country can prosper if there are multile power centers in a country."

About Pakistan-U.S. relations, he said, these have taken firm roots on sound lines, "and were mutually-advantageous."