US cannot ignore Pakistan: Musharraf

President Pervez Musharraf says the United States cannot afford to ignore Pakistan as Washington had vital security interest in the region.

Musharraf was speaking on the evolving Pakistan-US relations at the Nixon Centre, a think tank Monday, Online news agency reported.

He discussed a number of issues including Pakistan being categorised as a non-NATO ally and strategic partner of the US.

Highlighting the US interest in the region, he said that even if the war on terror came to an end, the US would continue to play an active role in South Asia as it would have to keep an eye on China, considered by many as a potential threat to the US predominance in Asia.

Musharraf asked American investors to invest in Pakistan, particularly in the defence sector.

He also called for the finalisation of a civilian nuclear deal between the US and Pakistan.

Talking about the India-Pakistan relations, the president asked the US to fully back the peace process so that it reached a fruitful end.

In addition, the president talked about the deal with the pro-Taliban tribals in Waziristan, Hudood Bill and democracy in Pakistan.

Assuring that the general elections of 2007 will be held on time and will be free and fair, he invited American officials to monitor the general election.

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