US committed to help Pak promote tolerance, work against hardliners: Posner

Lahore, Jan 24(ANI): United States Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Michael H. Posner, has said that Pakistan is an ally of the Obama administration, and was committed to working against hardliners.

"The US is eager to assist Pakistan in promoting tolerance and respect for each other," the Daily Times quoted Posner, as saying.

"The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had put education on priority in Pakistan and it was important to create educational opportunities and strong curriculum in schools that taught tolerance," he added.

He further condemned the assassination of former Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer.

"The governor's assassination is tragic and condemnable in the strongest words," Posner said.

The 60-year-old, however, refused to comment on Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws.

"The US cannot interfere in internal issues of Pakistan. It would have to take a decision itself in this regard," Posner said. (ANI)