Ambassador Qazi meets with Congresswomen- Sheila Jackson Lee and Jo Ann Davis

WASHINGTON, June 4 (APP)- Continuing his regular contact with key U.S. legislators, Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi Thursday held separate meetings with two Congresswomen- Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) and Jo Ann Davis (R- Virginia).

They discussed matters of mutual interest, including terrorism, nuclear non-proliferation, Pakistan-India relations and the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ambassador Ashraf Qazi and the Members of the Congress agreed on the need for "greater people-to-people contact."

The lawmakers expressed satisfaction over "the steady growth"of Pakistan-U.S. relations in different fields, and said these relations were "mutually-advantageous."

They noted that there was vast scope for further expansion of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of science, education, culture, trade and commerce.

Sheila Jackson Lee and Jo Ann Davis expressed their support for the proposed U.S. assistance allocations for FY-05 for Pakistan.

Referring to the ongoing global fight against terror, the Congresswomen highly appreciated Pakistan's important role, in this regard.

They also lauded "the courageous leadership" of President General Pervez Musharraf in leading the country, and made a particular mention of the issues of terrorism and dismantling of the alleged proliferation network of A. Q. Khan.

On the occasion, both the Members of the Congress welcomed "the positive trends" in relations between Pakistan and India, and expressed the hope that process of dialogue between the two countries would continue, "as they address all the outstanding issues," leading to amicable resolution.

Sheila Jackson Lee is Member of the Judicial, Science and Homeland Security Committee; while Jo Ann Davis is Member, International Relations Committee, Government Reform Committee, Armed Services Committee and Chair of Sub-Committee on Civil Service and Agency Organization, and also Member Sub-Committee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities. Known for his vast, rich and varied experience, soft-spoken nature and art of winning friends, career diplomat Ambassador Ashraf Qazi, is noted for being the doyen of Washington's diplomatic corps.