Visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher Thursday said the United States will work together with Pakistan to deal with any terrorist threat.
"If either side has any actionable intelligence of people presenting any threat, the United States and Pakistan would work together to meet the threat," said Boucher while addressing a press conference after he concluded two-day talks with Pakistani leaders.
Boucher said the United States is supporting efforts of Pakistan in addressing the challenge of extremism and terrorism.
"Terrorists are harming Pakistan as there have been Taliban and al-Qaeda type attacks on Pakistani security forces and innocent Pakistanis," he said.
Boucher expressed the hope that the Pakistani-Afghan joint peace Jirga, concluded on Aug. 12, would go a long way in promoting peace and security in borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
He said the U.S. Government is working with the Congress to get the project of Reconstruction Opportunities Zones (ROZs) approved, which would increase job opportunities in border areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, accelerate economic activities and produce goods for exports to help raise standard of living of the people of these areas.
The visiting U.S. assistant state secretary said the U.S. wants a modern, developed and prosperous Pakistan where people have peace and security and they have economic opportunities and greater access to healthcare and educational facilities.
He said the U.S. would continue to provide assistance to Pakistan for this purpose.
According to Boucher, Pakistan-U.S. strategic dialogue would take place early next month when U.S. Deputy Secretary of State would be coming to Islamabad for discussions on a broad range of topics.
Meanwhile, he said the U.S. Congress will carry out legislation next month to establish ROZs in Pakistan's tribal areas in September.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf had urged U.S. President George W. Bush for the ROZs when Bush visited Islamabad in March 2006.
Source: Xinhua
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