Washington, July 26: A powerful US congressional committee has moved closer to approving another 75 million dollars for Pakistan’s anti-terrorism efforts along the Afghan border.

Ahead of the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s visit -- the first by the elected leader since parliamentary elections early this year -- there have been strong expressions of support for Pakistan’s democratic government and sustained economic development of its people by both the Bush Administration and the Congress.

Islamabad, July 26: Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani held separate meetings with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, before Gilani embarks upon his first official visit to the US.

General Kayani has been frequently visiting Musharraf and the Prime Minister House since the February 18 elections.

Islamabad - Pakistan's new Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday left for a four-day official visit to Washington where he will discuss terrorism President George W. Bush and other US leaders.

Gilani's visit comes amid growing US frustration over Pakistan's inability in containing Taliban's cross border attacks from its tribal belt into Afghanistan on NATO-led international forces.

Islamabad, July 26: Deepening differences between the coalition partners, the Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, over many issues, have brought the legislation in Pakistan almost to a halt.

At least 15 bills are stuck in Parliament due to delay in the convening of National Assembly (NA) session and non-functioning standing committees, according to the Daily Times.

The sources said that because all these bills had been referred to standing committees, there might be delay in their passage through parliament.

Washington, July 26 : US President George W Bush has acknowledged that Pakistan has made a democratic progress.

Bush on Friday said in a speech devoted to his administration’s efforts to advance freedom in the world, “We’ve seen strides toward democracy taken by nations such as Kuwait and Liberia, Mauritania and Morocco, and Pakistan.”

Islamabad, July 26 : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the government would engage in dialogue only with people who had renounced violence in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Referring to the agreement inked between the Taliban and the NWFP government in the Tribal Areas, Gilani said that if it failed, the government would adopt another strategy.

“It was the people’s and the government’s wish that the army not be used to battle terrorists in the Tribal Areas of the country,” he added.