ISLAMABAD: Speaker of the US House of Representatives John Boehner said Monday a strong U.S-Pakistan relationship is vital to the interests of both the countries. Boehner, who led a six-member congressional delegation to Pakistan, said in a statement issued by the US Embassy here on Monday, “We recognize that the Pakistani military and the Pakistani people have made great sacrifices in recent years in the struggle against extremism and terrorism.”
“Al Qaeda and its extremist allies have made Pakistan a target, and the Pakistani nation has suffered deeply as a result”, he added.Boehner said, “We appreciate the efforts of the Pakistani military and the sacrifices of those troops and the Pakistani people.”About the delegation’s meetings in Pakistan, Boehner said, “We had frank and productive discussions with Pakistan’s civilian and military leaders.”“While the relationship between our two countries has seen its challenges, we discussed the importance of working through these issues and renewing our partnership based on mutual interests and mutual respect,” he added.“We also appreciate the hospitality of Prime Minister Gilani and pledge to continue working together on behalf of our countries,” the Speaker of US House of Representatives said.
