QNA

DOHA PAKISTAN’S Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Thursday described the US-Islamic World Forum as a beacon of hope and appreciated the Qatari initiative to promote dialogue between the two sides.

Speaking at the 9th USIslamic World Forum, she described the Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani as a leader with great achievements for his country and the Islamic world.

She also praised and thanked Her Highness Sheikha Moza for leading initiatives in support of women as well as in science and education.

Khar also lauded Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al Thani for his efforts and keenness to hold the Forum every year.

Qatar has assumed an important role on the regional as well as international levels by holding forums of such importance to the Islamic world, she said.

The Forum, launched following September 11-2001 events, is a beacon of hope for identifying factors that have prevented serious discussions between the US and Islamic world and also an opportunity for essential dialogue, she added.

Talking about her country’s ties with the United States, she said Islamabad appreciates the relationship and noted that it requires a national consensus, expressed through its parliament, to take it to a higher level.

Pakistan does not want its ties with the US to suffer, she said, but called for relations based on common interests amid an atmosphere of partnership and friendship.

“It is important that the US accepts democracy in Pakistan and respects the people’s voice.

We appreciate the reassurances we received from Washington,” she said with regard to Pakistani Parliament’s demand for an US apology for an air raid that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers at a military checkpoint near the border with Afghanistan.She also called upon her country’s parliament to see the whole picture in a realistic way, understand the American democracy, the nature of bilateral relations, Pakistan’s political and economic needs, and support any positive move from the American side.

She stressed that Pakistan and US should work closely to counter terrorism, and “not fall victim to the war on terrorism.” She also touched upon the state of the internal affairs of her country and the challenges it faced. She explained the need to address the complex critical issues. She also talked about the democratic transformation Pakistan is now witnessing as well as the “era of military dictatorship” under Zia ul Haq and Pervez Musharraf.

Both governments had used the country’s resources in the service of the regime at a high cost to the country, she said.