US wants to see Pak as a moderate Islamic state

Washington, July 14: The Bush Administration has said it wants to see Pakistan emerge as a modern, moderate Islamic state that works with the United States and other countries to fight against extremists like al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

''I think, we share with him (President Pervez Musharraf) such an understanding of the future,'' Tom Casey, White House deputy spokesman, said.

Replying to a question about the current state of affairs in Pakistan, he said, ''I don't think our views on Pakistan are any different today than they were yesterday or last week.'' He reiterated that US considered Pakistan an important country in the region and President Musharraf ''a valued partner and ally''.

''Certainly, Pakistan has been the subject to threats from various kinds of extremists. That's why we've been working with the Pakistanis to try and deal with the concerns that we have in the FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan) with Taliban infiltration across the border.

''Certainly as well, we've known that there have been direct threats to Pakistan's government and its leadership, and no one knows that better than President Musharraf, who has been the subject of several assassination attempts over the last couple of years,'' Casey said.
UNI

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