Zardari expresses hope over ties with US

BEIJING: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that it is an election year in the US, adding that most of the comments coming from the US are based on their internal political condition.

In an exclusive interview with Chinese newspaper, President Zardari expressed confidence over the country's relationship with the United States despite recent complaints from Washington.

The remarks come as US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in Kabul on Thursday said that Washington is "reaching the limits of patience" with Pakistan on the issue of militant safe havens on the Pakistani side of the border.

When asked about his opinion on Panetta's remarks, Zardari said "I think sometimes politicians speak for political reasons. It is an election year in the US. Most of the comments coming from the US are based on their internal political condition."

"I think the US is an important country in the world and so is Pakistan. We have mutual interests," Zardari said.

"Slowly but surely, we will get back to normal relations," he added.

Pakistan has been blamed by some Western countries, including the US, for "not doing enough" to counter terrorism. "Nobody understands the effects of the war on Pakistan. We have lost 40,000 people and ... economic growth from terrorist attacks and activities," said Zardari.

"We are victims of terror ... It seems like Pakistan is abetting terrorists, but it is the wrong perception." (Monitoring Desk)