2007 is a politically important year for Pak: Boucher

Washington, July 13 (UNI) The United States is working with the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan to build stability along the rugged border between those two nations.

Both countries recognise the importance of stabilising the border region and the need to improve mutual relations, according to an assessment offered to members of Congress yesterday by Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian affairs Richard Boucher.

The United States and NATO allies are working ''to foster and expanded Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral dialogue, stronger economic and trade ties and deeper cooperation between Pakistani and Afghan border security forces,'' Mr Boucher said.

Mr Boucher was testifying at a hearing of a House sub-committee on national security and foreign affairs.

The United States is pursuing a long-term strategic partnership with Pakistan that is both multi-dimensional and enduring, he said, adding that a stable and prosperous Pakistan is key to the stability and prosperity of the whole region.

This will be a politically important year in Pakistan, Mr Boucher said, with upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections looming "as critical benchmarks" to measure Islamabad's progress toward full democracy. The United States wants to see "free, fair elections this year," he said, with the participation of all political parties.

To support Pakistan's transition to democracy and civilian rule, Mr Boucher said the United States is working with Pakistan to strengthen press freedom and to ensure the criminal justice system is fair and impartial, an independent judiciary is in place, and civil society organisations and political institutions are responsive to citizen needs.

The United States also has been strengthening Pakistan's primary and higher education system, providing nearly 70 million dollar in 2006. Additionally, Mr Boucher said the United States is working to extend women's rights and legal protection for religious and ethnic minorities through partnerships with Pakistani groups and non-governmental organisations. Promoting women's health and confronting child labour and human trafficking are also high priorities.

To various questions from the sub-committee members about problems in Pakistan that are beyond the control of the central government Mr Boucher replied that there is turmoil in these regions, but "we are capturing the bad guys" who are wanted as terrorists.

MR Boucher also cited US-Pakistan cooperation in closing down the A Q Khan nuclear proliferation network and expressed confidence in Pakistan's control of its nuclear materials.

Regarding the recent turmoil caused by the takeover of the Red Mosque by Pakistan extremists, he said Gen Pervez Musharraf showed restraint until the extremists failed to choose a peaceful outcome and the threat to security became intolerable. Musharraf has domestic support for his efforts to deal with extremists.

''It is a constant and long-term effort,'' Mr Boucher said.

UNI