Islamabad, Apr. 9: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has assured U. S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that his country would continue its role in the fight against terrorism.

This meesage was conveyed to Rice when she telephoned Qureshi to congratulate him on becoming Pakistan's Foreign Minister.

Qureshi is also believed to have told Rice that the economic development of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and other under-developed regions would strengthen Pakistan's efforts against terrorism.

He also made a pitch for the setting up of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs). According to the Daily Times, Rice said that she would work towards an early adoption of legislation in the US Congress to allow duty-free imports from the ROZs to the United States.

Rice reaffirmed Washington's commitment to further strengthen relations with Pakistan and invited Qureshi to visit the U. S. (ANI)