Pakistan seeks clear US vision for South Asia

Oct 6, 2009, 20:52 GMT

Washington - Pakistani Prime Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi urged the United States on Tuesday to outline a clear commitment to the stability and economic development of South Asia.

Meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Qureshi said his government has the political will to tackle the extremism and militants along the border with Afghanistan.

'The people of the region have to be assured that the United States has a vision for the entire region,' Qureshi said. 'Not just Afghanistan and Pakistan but the entire region.'

Qureshi praised Clinton and President Barack Obama for taking steps to solidify US-Pakistani relations, including the 1.5 billion dollars in annual aide approved by Congress for the next five years.

The aid is designed to further develop Pakistan's democratic, economic and social programmes.

'This is a sincere effort put forth by our Congress to assist the people of Pakistan,' Clinton said.

The Obama administration is conducting a comprehensive review of the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda along the Pakistani-Afghan border. Pakistan's support in the conflict in crucial because the Taliban use remote regions of Pakistan to launch cross border raids into Afghanistan.