Obama, Zardari agree ‘more needs to be done’ to tackle Pak-based terror threat to West

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari agreed during a telephonic conversation that ‘more’ needs to be done to deal with terrorist groups in Pakistan posing a ‘direct threat’ to the West.

“Both President Obama and President Zardari acknowledged that more work needed to be done to address the direct threat to our countries posed by terrorist groups in Pakistan,” said the White House readout of Obama’s call with Zardari.

“They also agreed that the U.S. and Pakistan have worked hard to build an atmosphere of trust and cooperation, and committed to ongoing efforts to build a stronger, strategic, and more collaborative U.S.-Pakistan relationship,” it added.

Obama had called up Zardari to consult with him on the progress made during the latest round of the US-Pak Strategic Dialogue, and also to reinforce the US commitment to partner with Pakistan on economic, development, and governance priorities.

During the call, he discussed the progress that the two countries had made towards strengthening bilateral relations within the past two years.

The US president emphasized his nation’s commitment and support for democracy and transparency in Pakistan, and highlighted the fact that both countries share an interest in ensuring the strengthening of democratic traditions in Pakistan.

He also acknowledged Pakistan’s economic difficulties, and encouraged Zardari “to work to pass key economic reforms, such as tax reform and containing energy subsidies,” said the readout. President Obama concluded the call by conveying his intention to visit Pakistan in 2011 and personally welcomed President Zardari to visit the United States in the coming year,” the readout added. (ANI)