Obama for rolling back extremism in Pak

Washington, Jul 11: Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate, has said that if he won the election later this year he would work towards cementing US-Pak ties, and would also ensure that democracy was promoted in Pakistan since it was "an important ally in the US-led war on terror".

Obama said this in a letter he sent to new Pakistan envoy in Washington, Husain Haqqani. "I will continue to press for a US policy that demonstrates a commitment to the people of Pakistan and a more effective approach to foreign assistance to promote democracy and roll back the forces of extremism," the Daily Times quoted Obama as writing in the letter.

He said, "Pakistan remains a critically important ally in the fight against Al Qaeda, a reason why I have been proud to support significant investments in its economic development over the last several years."

Recognising the 'sacrifices' Pakistan had made in the fight against terrorism, Obama said that more steps were needed to combat terrorists in its tribal areas.

In his letter, Obama also congratulated Haqqani on assuming his diplomatic assignment and vowed to work for advancing "critical partnership" between the two nations.

ANI