Pak, US ties facing difficult phase: Hafeez

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Finance Dr.Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said on Wednesday that relationships between Pakistan and United States at moment are undergoing difficult phase and both sides working together to overcome the problem.

"We held good discussions relating to building economic ties between Pakistan and United state based on mutual interests basis", Dr.Hafeez Shaikh said after attending a high level meeting with the visiting US Deputy Secretary of State for Resources and Management Thomas R Nides and his delegation here at the Ministry of Finance Wednesday afternoon.

Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr. Nadeem Ul Haq, Finance Secretary Wajid Rana, Secretary Planning Asif Bajwa, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) M.H Rizvi and additional Secretary Economic Affairs Division (EAD) Himayatullah Khan were also present in the meeting.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Camron Munter and members of visiting US delegation were also present in the meeting.

Dr. Hafeez Shaikh welcoming the visiting US delegation led by Nides said "we are looking forward to longerterm and sustainable relationship with the United States based on mutual respect".

"Our Parliament is discussing this important issue and guide us in changing future course", he remarked.

The visiting US Secretary Mr.Nides said that US is committed to relations with Pakistan and will respect the Parliament review process going on.

He added that President Obama telephoned Prime Minister Gillani and said that "We believe in our balance approach of relationship between Pakistan and United States".

"We also respect your sovereignty", Thomas remarked.