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Zardari hopes for early legislation on ROZs

ISLAMABAD: Following the successful passage of the Kerry-Lugar legislation, Pakistan hopes the US will soon adopt the legislation on the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) for the uplift of the Tribal Areas, President Asif Ali Zardari said on Monday.

“I hope the ROZ legislation will soon be approved and the labour provision softened,” he told US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator John Kerry.

Briefing the media about Kerry’s meeting with the president, spokesman Farhatullah Babar said the two leaders had also discusses matters concerning the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act, 2009, bilateral relations, the fight against militancy and terrorism and the regional situation. The president also asked Kerry to use his influence to ensure timely reimbursement of the $1 billion owed to Pakistan in the coalition support funds.

Senator Kerry assured Zardari that the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act was intended to demonstrate the American people’s long-term commitment to the people of Pakistan.

Separately, Senator Kerry also met Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani. The premier told Kerry Pakistan would never compromise its sovereignty and hoped the conditions mentioned in the aid package would not prevent the US from delivering aid to Pakistan. sajjad malik

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