Strategic dialogue to mark intensification of Pak-US partnership: Holbrooke

Washington, Mar. 22 (ANI): US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke has said that the Pak-US strategic dialogue on Wednesday would "mark a major intensification of our partnership."

"This is a partnership that goes far beyond security, but security is an important part of it," the Daily Times quoted Holbrooke, as saying.

"The US is supporting Pakistan as it seeks to strengthen democratic institutions, as it seeks to foster more economic development, expand opportunities, deal with its energy and water problems, and defeat the extremist groups who threaten both Pakistan's security and stability in the larger region, and American national security as well," he added.

Holbrooke said the talks led by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi would also touch upon the Kerry Lugar Bill.

"We have to have the money appropriated. We are looking for every way to accelerate the obligations and the disbursement. We do not think that the money is moving as fast as we'd like it to," Holbrooke said.

Meanwhile, Qureshi has reached Washington for the dialogue. (ANI)