Zardari reiterates call for bridging Pak-U.S. trust deficit

Islamabad, June 13 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has reiterated his call for Pakistan and the U.S. to work closely in order to bridge the trust deficit, and cooperate with each other on clearly defined parameters on the basis of mutual interest and respect.

Zardari said this during the recent meeting between Pakistan officials and a U.S. Congressional delegation, which discussed Pak-U.S. relations, the war against terror and the overall regional situation, reports the Daily Times.

Zardari said Pakistan was committed to building a strong, sustainable and enduring relationship with the U.S. that was based on principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, trust, understanding and cooperation.

He emphasised that drone attacks were counterproductive and undermined the cooperative equation of the two countries.

He also expressed the hope that the U.S. would show greater understanding of the sentiments of the people of Pakistan who were greatly hurt by the Salala checkpost incident, where a U.S. air raid had killed 24 Pakistani soldiers last November.

There has been a standoff between Islamabad and Washington over the drone attacks and an apology over the Salala incident due to which NATO supplies have remained suspended since the last six months. (ANI)