ISLAMABAD – In an attempt to allay apprehensions of Pakistanis over the Kerry-Lugar Burner (KLB) Act, US Senator John Kerry while meeting with Pakistani leadership has said that the legislation intended to cement long-term partnership with Pakistan.
Talking to dignitaries in Islamabad, one of the architects of the Act, Kerry observed that the core intent of the enhanced partnership through the Act was to demonstrate the American peopleÂ’s long-term commitment to the people of Pakistan.
During his meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif, the visiting US delegation headed by Senator John Kerry termed the controversy on KLB as unfortunate. The delegation stressed that it was a genuine effort on the part of the US to build a long-term partnership between the two countries by investing $7.5 billion in the next five years for the socio-economic development of the people of Pakistan.
He hoped that the joint explanatory statement had successfully allayed the misgivings of the concerned circles in Pakistan and added that he would be meeting PakistanÂ’s military as well to further clarify and reassure them about the real intent of US Congress and administration to help Pakistan through KLB legislation.
Talking to Senator Kerry, President Zardari thanked the US leadership for supporting democracy in Pakistan and said that he looked forward to Secretary of State Hillary ClintonÂ’s visit to Islamabad and holding of US-Pak strategic dialogue.
Presidential spokesman said that President Zardari expressed the hope that ROZs (Reconstruction Opportunity Zones) legislation would soon be approved and counterproductive labour provision would be softened. He said that Pakistan looked forward to enhancement of area as well as product coverage in the ROZs scheme. He said that ROZs should not be seen as trade concession measures but as an effective instrument to quell militancy and extremism.
Prime Minister Gilani proposed US administration to route the assistance under KLB through the trust funds for the uplift and reconstruction of the districts of Malakand division. He added that through Benazir Income Support Programme, the government was reaching out the poor segments of society in the country.
He also underlined the need for the provision of market access for Pakistani products and for expeditious passage of ROZ Bill in this regard. He informed Kerry that there was national consensus in the country to eliminate the evil forces of terrorism and extremism on the basis of which military action was under way in South Waziristan Agency.
While underlining the importance of support of the masses for decisive victory, he highlighted the imperative of development aspect in his governmentÂ’s strategy to gain the sustained support of the nation on this issue.
The Prime Minister apprised Senator Kerry that in the first few days of Army action, the dislocation of people had already started and an influx of them was expected in the coming weeks. He urged the US and friends of Pakistan to come forward wholeheartedly to provide adequate financial assistance to cater for the dislocated persons and later on for the development of the affected areas.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan would remain constructively engaged with the international partners including USA to promote the shared objectives of peace, security and development in Afghanistan. “Pakistan looks forward to continued cooperation with the new elected government of Afghanistan in the best interest of peace and security of the region,” he added.
He fully agreed with the Prime Minister on the urgent need to focus on social sector development in the affected areas and identified reconstruction of schools, hospitals, shelters and provision of seeds and livestock as priority areas for the people.
He also assured the Prime Minister that the US would use its good offices with the European Union for provision of market access for Pakistani goods under GSP Plus Facilities and that the passage of ROZ Bill from Congress would be fast tracked.
Senator John Kerry met Quaid Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) Mian Nawaz Sharif here and discussed Pak-US relations, security situation and KLB Act.
Pakistan Muslim League(Nawaz) Quaid during his meeting with US Senator John Kerry at Punjab House said that his party was reviewing the explanatory statements attached with the KLB Act and they would be able to give its reaction on the act after having thorough debate on it.
PML(N) Quaid, however, conveyed reservations of his party and people of Pakistan over the bill, saying the PPP led coalition government did not take into confidence the opposition parties on it. Senator John Kerry during the meeting said that the main objective of the bill was to help Pakistan and reservations of Pakistani people would be removed.
Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Ch. Nisar Ali Khan and Senator Ishaq Dar were also present on the occasion.
Nawaz urged Senator John Kerry to consider suitable measures to allay the doubts and misgivings that had arisen in Pakistan about the KLB Act. He appraised the Senator of the feelings and concerns of the people of Pakistan regarding the KLB Act.
PML-N Chief reaffirmed that the said bill, with its conditionalities continues to cause concerns, which he emphasised needed to be addressed to establish a relationship of trust and confidence between the two countries.
The former prime minister assured Senator Kerry that Pakistan valued its friendship with the United States. He therefore, urged upon Obama administration and the US Congress to establish a genuine partnership with the people of Pakistan based on mutual respect and mutual trust.
Online adds: Senator John Kerry, who is one of the founders of Kerry-Lugar Bill, has made it clear that presently no change is possible in the Kerry-Lugar Bill.
Talking to senior journalists here on Monday, he said the military and political leadership has adopted uniform stance on the US aid bill, adding, US respects PakistanÂ’s sovereignty and neither it had compromised on it nor it is possible in future.
‘Pakistan is an independent country and it will spend 7.5 billion dollars aid on its own but though it is the amount of US taxpayers amount and, therefore, they and some US congressmen ask where the amount would be spent and Hillary Clinton would present report in this regard’, he added.
According to him, we are giving to Pakistan about 7.5 billion dollars aid and are also listening to its complaints.
Terrorism is an international problem as terror events had taken place in US, Germany and other countries, he said.
In reply to a question regarding abolishment of check posts on Afghan border, Kerry said he has no information about it and the issue was not raised during his meetings with COAS General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and DG ISI Shuja Pasha.