ISLAMABAD, 16 August 2007 — Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf expressed concern over some “irresponsible comments” made by US presidential candidates and linking aid to Pakistan to progress in the fight against militancy to visiting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher yesterday.

Sources said Musharraf told Boucher that such statements will prove counter-productive and undermine Pakistan’s efforts to wipe out terrorism.

Boucher called on Musharraf after his arrival in Islamabad yesterday. He praised Pakistan’s efforts at fighting terrorism and reaffirmed Washington’s desire to develop long-term strategic relations with Islamabad, the Foreign Ministry said.

Earlier yesterday, Boucher held talks with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri.

Boucher’s visit comes amid rising US pressure on Musharraf to do more to fight militants in Pakistan’s tribal belt bordering Afghanistan, where American intelligence officials say Al-Qaeda and the Taleban may be regrouping. It also comes amid a political crisis for Musharraf as he seeks a fresh presidential term.

At his meeting with Kasuri, Boucher said he “appreciated the contribution and sacrifices made by Pakistan in fighting extremism and terrorism,” the ministry said.

It also cited Boucher as saying Washington was “committed to a long-term strategic relationship with Pakistan and (that) there existed a solid foundation for such a relationship.”

Kasuri told Boucher his country was making “valuable contributions and immense sacrifices in fighting extremism and terrorism,” the statement said.

However, the foreign minister also expressed concern about recent US statements and legislation tying US aid to Pakistan’s progress at fighting terrorism.

“The foreign minister stressed that certain recent US statements were counter-productive ... (and) also expressed concern regarding the recent US legislation,” the Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry did not elaborate on the statements but relations with Pakistan have become a hot topic in the US presidential election campaign.

Democratic candidate Barack Obama said this month that if elected, he would be willing to attack Al-Qaeda militants inside Pakistan without the approval of its government.

US President George W. Bush described talk of such action as “unsavory” and said he respected Pakistan’s sovereignty.

But Bush also signed into law a bill on implementing the recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission, which contained the provision tying aid to Pakistan to its progress in cracking down on Al-Qaeda and Taleban militants.

The law and tough talk have cast a shadow on the countries’ relations. Kasuri told Boucher the law “was contrary to the spirit of Pakistan-US strategic relationship.”

He said it was also reminiscent of US legislation, known as the Pressler Amendment, which blocked the sale of paid-for F-16 aircraft to Pakistan because of its nuclear program in 1989.

Boucher, who arrived in Pakistan earlier yesterday on his fourth visit this year, was not available for comment.