ISLAMABAD - With an aim at keeping Pakistan's ruling coalition intact, the senior US diplomat Richard Boucher arrived here on Monday on a four-day visit during which he will try to help end differences between Pakistan People's Party and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) over the thorny issue of judges' restoration. The US Assistant Secretary of State called on Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani soon after his arrival here and discussed with him in detail the current political situation, the ongoing operation in Khyber agency against the militants and various other aspects of war on terror. "The Bush administration believes that the political instability in Pakistan, mainly because of judges' issue is badly impacting its major ally's efforts aimed at curbing militancy and Boucher talked on this in detail with the Prime Minister," said an official here requesting for anonymity. The US official would visit Lahore today (Tuesday) to meet there with PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif and discussed the same issues with him while asking for continuity for the ruling alliance in months and years to come as it would help achieve the objectives set for war against terrorism, the official said. He said that the American diplomat would also meet Governor Punjab Salman Taseer. On his return to Islamabad from Lahore, Boucher would call on President Pervez Musharraf and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday (tomorrow), he said. The US official is visiting Pakistan at a critical time when the security forces have launched offensive in Khyber Agency against the militant organisations like Lashkar-e-Islam led by Mangal Bagh, an influential commander blamed for several kidnappings in and around Peshawar including that of 16 Christians a few days ago. "Apart from political issues, the terrorism related matters would be discussed in detail during the talks between US diplomat and Pakistani leaders. It is most likely that Boucher would demand more action from Pakistan in the rest of tribal belt where Washington believes that Taliban and al-Qaeda have found safe havens," the official said. Meanwhile, an official statement issued here said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in his meeting with the US diplomat said, "Pakistan greatly values its relationship with the US and is keen to strengthen these ties in political, economic, defence and security fields." He said that he had no doubt that the victory of democratic and progressive forces in Pakistan, especially in the NWFP and Balochistan provinces, and the formation of broad-based democratic governments at the centre and in the provinces would further cement the close and cooperative relationship that existed between the two countries. He said that terrorism was a global phenomenon and serious threat to humanity and was ruining global peace and economic development. The Prime Minister said it was often not realised that one incident of terrorism in Pakistan led to flight of foreign capital from the country besides discouraging the flow of foreign investment. "Similarly, it was a terrorist act that claimed the life of Benazir Bhutto," he said. The Prime Minister said Pakistan was therefore fighting terrorism and extremism in its own national interest and not to serve the objectives of another country. Later, talking to the US Congressional delegation led by Senator Cardin, the Prime Minister said, "we want the US to help Pakistan rebuild its economy". Highlighting the importance Pakistan attached to its relations with the United States, the Prime Minister underscored the desire to deepen bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, including defence, trade, economy, energy and social sectors. He told the delegation that the government's foremost priorities included fighting against extremism and terrorism in Pakistan's own interest as well as rebuilding the economy. The Prime Minister also apprised the members of Congress of the three-pronged counter-terrorism strategy. He further underlined the need for accelerating the ROZs initiative stressing that it would help expand economic opportunities and generate jobs. The Prime Minister also under-scored the vital interest Pakistan had in a stable Afghanistan. He also apprised the delegation of the steps taken by Pakistan to strengthen security along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border as well as for the upkeep of 3 million Afghan refugees. The Prime Minister stressed the need for the international community to support these efforts. The members of the Congressional delegation highlighted the strategic importance of the US relations with Pakistan and reciprocated the desire to expand bilateral cooperation in various fields. They affirmed US readiness to support Pakistan in its efforts to address the security issues and to achieve economic progress over the long term. They said that the US regards Pakistan as its important and strategic ally is keen to closely work with the democratic government to help it overcome its economic problems. They said that Pakistan is a lynchpin in the region and we want to expand our bilateral cooperation in all areas including trade, investment and security matters. The Congressional delegation included Senator Benjamin Cardin, Congressman Zach Wamp, Congressman Robert Aderholt, Congressman Mike McIntyre and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. The meeting was also attended by Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior, Mr. Rehman Malik, Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security, Mr. Mahmud Durrani, and Acting Secretary, Foreign Affairs. APP adds: During a meetng with Boucher, the Premier said it is often not realised that one incident of terrorism in Pakistan leads to flight of foreign capital from the country besides discouraging the flow of foreign investment. The PM said the government in consultation with the coalition partners has adopted a three-pronged strategy to deal with terrorism by initiating political talks with those elements who have laid down arms and have joined mainstream political activity, accelerating the pace of economic development and reserving the right to use force if agreements are violated. "We will however never negotiate with militants nor allow foreigners to use our soil against another country," he said. The PM said the government has received a lot of public support for the action being taken against the militants in tribal areas during the last couple of days. Our Monitoring Desk adds: President Pervez Musharraf has said that the terrorists and extremists would not be allowed to use Pakistan land, reports a private TV channel. In a meeting with the US Senators in Rawalpindi, President Musharraf said all the movements at the borders were being closely monitored. He said that all options, including talks with the tribal leaders, were being used in order to eliminate terrorism. He conveyed his concern to the US Senators over the Mohmand Agency incident. The US Senators said that they supported long-lasting and durable ties with Pakistan and demanded that all the stakeholders in the war against terrorism should be taken into confidence as regards peace deals in the tribal areas. Terming the Mohmand Agency incident as tragic, the US Senators said that every possible effort would be made to avoid such incidents in future. Online adds: President Musharraf backed launching of operation by security forces against extremists in the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas. On the other hand, while talking to a delegation of US Congressmen, the President made it clear to them that no one would be allowed to play with the lives of innocent people, saying that that time had come for launching an operation by security forces against extremists in Fata. He urged US delegation to address the root cause of problems which were forcing the people in Fata to indulge in extremism because.