Mian Shaukat Masud President, Muhammad Ishtiaq Qureshi Vice President and Executive Members of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) in a meeting hailed the US Special Representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke’s statement that USA would assist Pakistan in steering it out from its worse energy crisis.

They said America’s assistance in overcoming energy crisis in Pakistan will open a new chapter of close cooperation for promoting bilateral trade and economic relations between the two countries.

Mian Shaukat Masud said energy shortage is the biggest stumbling block in the promotion of business and industrial activities in the country due to which country’s economy is on downward slide.

He said Pakistan’s economy has also badly suffered due to fighting war on terrorism and US should go extra mile to provide duty free access to Pakistani textile and other products as it provided to Bangladesh so that promotion of exports could strengthen the economy.

He said Pakistan is not only striving to promote peace in its own land by going into war against terrorists, it is protecting the interests of world community. He said USA should sign a similar civil nuclear agreement with Pakistan as it has signed with India to enable Pakistan to cope with its rising energy needs.

ICCI Vice President Muhammad Ishtiaq Qureshi said USA should enhance its investment in Pakistan, particularly in infrastructure development, construction of road networks, schools and hospitals in NWFP to create opportunities of hope for devastated people of the area.

He hoped that the visit of Mr. Holbooke and the proposed visit of US Secretary of States Hillary Clinton would further strengthen the bilateral relations between Pakistan and USA and USA will continue to support Pakistan financially to cope with different challenges.