Indian lobby influencing US-Pak relations: Ex-Pak envoy

Islamabad, June 1 (ANI): Pakistan's former ambassador to the United States Khaled Mahmood credited the US with being a valued ally of the country whose economic and military support was vital to Pakistan. He also held that a strong Indian lobby was colouring US policy regarding the country.

Pakistan's relationship with the US has been marked my extremes with intervening periods of both acrimony as well as bonhomie he said.

"For Pakistan, the US is an indispensable ally as Islamabad needs it for its economic and military assistance," the Daily Times quoted Mahmood, as saying.

Singling out the Indian element he said: "A large Indian community in the US is effectively lobbying in the US Congress and its strong presence has contributed to strongly influencing US policy-making towards Pakistan."

About the negative media coverage in the US, of the troubled state, Mahmood attributed this to the "intellectual and moral crisis" facing Pakistan.

"The best way forward for Pakistan is good governance and institution building," he said. (ANI)