Washington, Mar 10: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said at the Pacific Council on International Policy in Los Angeles that the important lesson from the long history of US-Pakistan relationship was to have a deeper, constructive and sustained engagement.

Aziz did not comment on the February 18 elections and about his party’s defeat. He made no mention about the uncertainty hanging over President Pervez Musharraf's head.

Aziz said that whenever Pakistan and the US had work together in the past, the whole world has been benefited from it but when their relations were not cordial then its consequences were also experienced by the world.

He was referring to March 2006 joint statement by Presidents George W Bush and President Musharraf that both the countries are committed to work together to ensure the maintenance of peace, security and stability in South Asia and beyond. To build a robust defence relationship that advanced shared security goals, promote regional stability and contribute to international security; and ensure effective cooperation in fighting terrorism and extremism.

"We have made advances in promoting 'Enlightened Moderation' and building a human rights culture. The economy has grown at an average rate of 7 per cent during the past four years. It is now counted among the fast growing economies of the Asian region," the Daily Times quoted Aziz, as saying.

He said terrorism is the biggest threat to all. He even called on the US to remain positively engaged in encouraging the Indo-Pak peace process and to make efforts for a final solution to the Kashmir dispute.

He added, "It is imperative to avoid any assertions or action that would undermine our sovereignty, be inconsistent with international law, unacceptable to the people of Pakistan, and detrimental to the ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation. We do not need external help, as Pakistan's armed forces are capable of dealing with any situation." (ANI)