Pakistan remains optimistic over ties with US

Remarks come despite scathing complaints from Washington

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday expressed confidence over the country's relationship with the United States despite recent complaints from Washington.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari attended the annual leaders' summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Beijing this week. Pakistan - along with India, Iran, Afghanistan and Mongolia - is an observer of the bloc. Feng Yongbin / China Daily

"I think the US is an important country in the world and so is Pakistan. We have mutual interests," Zardari said in an exclusive interview with China Daily on Friday in Beijing.

"Slowly but surely, we will get back to normal relations," said Zardari.

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

Panetta said on Wednesday in New Delhi that the US will continue to battle militants in Pakistan's tribal regions despite complaints from Islamabad that the drone strikes violate its sovereignty and create a sense of anti-Americanism.

Analysts say Panetta's statement shows the mistrust between the two close allies in their war on terror.

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."

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."

Zardari attended the annual leaders' summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Beijing, of which Pakistan is an observer - along with India, Iran, Afghanistan and Mongolia.

The bloc reached several landmark agreements on political, economic and security cooperation during the SCO Beijing summit, which also set the blueprint for the bloc's future.

The SCO is going to be the region's economic engine in the future, Zardari said, adding that he has "high expectations" for the organization.

"The SCO is very young, and obviously it is taking its own time to grow. But it shows the world that this is the path we're taking," Zardari said.

"Today, the economic and financial stability of nations is the way forward. In this way, the region can benefit from each others' strengths and come to the aid of each others' weaknesses," he said.

"I expect all of us to come to a common understanding over political views and the challenges that face our nations."

Pakistan has been in close cooperation with the SCO and China in recent years over security and economic cooperation.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

Contact the writer at wujiao@chinadaily.com.cn