Pakistan welcomes legislation for relations; Rejects Report on CIA searching
Pakistan Times Federal Bureau Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tuesday welcomed the legislation by the US Congress for a long-term relationship between Pakistan and the United States and termed it a positive step.

The legislation, based on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, acknowledges the importance of a stable and prosperous Pakistan for the Muslim world as well the region.

It calls upon the US Administration to help Pakistan in the resolution of outstanding issues with its neighbours, enable Pakistan to participate more vigorously in the global market place and in the continued modernization of Pakistan's economy.

A Foreign Office spokesman in a statement welcomed the legislation voted by the US Congress. It also asked the Administration to ensure that annual assistance to Pakistan is not less than the level approved for the fiscal year 2005 which is
$701 million.

Durable friendship

The spokesman said "the passage of the legislation by Congress was a positive step as it represented an unambiguous reaffirmation of America's desire for durable friendship with Pakistan."

The legislation, which enjoys bi-partisan support, also takes into account the importance of market access and favourable terms of trade in Pakistan's economic development.

Report on CIA searching for Osama in Pakistan baseless: DG ISPR

Director General Inter Services Public Relations, Major General Shaukat Sultan has said that a report saying CIA had set up secret bases in Pakistan to search for Osama, is absolutely baseless.

"No bases of such kind were set up in the tribal areas of Pakistan nor at any other place, the Spokesman told BBC Radio.

He said Pakistan had announced for several times that nearly a dozen US officials were present here to provide help in technical intelligence, adding, other than this, there was no base of the CIA present in country.

Of the US assistance

He said the assistance provided by the US officials was just an overall technical intelligence, and not in a particular event. So far the on-ground operation is concerned, it does not involve any kind of help, he added.

To a question regarding whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden he said, "we have no evidence about him that he has come here in the past few years or that he is present anywhere in Pakistan."

He said the reports of the US newspapers regarding presence of Osama in tribal areas of Pakistan are the fantasies of the media and are their stipulated stories.●