ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has that Pakistan is determined to root out extremism and terrorism not because its friends and allies desire so, but due to the fact that it is the foremost threat to its security, integrity, economy and social fibre. During his meeting with US Senate delegation, which called on him under the head of Senator John McCain, Premier Gilani stressed on United States and other allies to understand ground realities of the present security situation in the region and sought their assistance in building capacity of Pakistan's law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism. The other members of US Senate delegation, besides John McCain, were Joe Lieberman and Lindsay O Graham who called on Premier Gilani at PM House Saturday afternoon. The Prime Minister briefed the US Senate Delegation on Pakistan's role against terrorism, the underlining causes begetting extremism, his government's efforts to improve relations with all the neighbouring countries and remarkable patience shown by Pakistan's political leadership to defuse the situation rather than indulging in jingoistic rhetoric in the face of all kind of provocations in the aftermath of Mumbai terrorist attacks. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan remained committed for having cordial relations with India and added that Islamabad condemned the Mumbai incidents in strongest possible terms. Pakistan had assured the Indian leadership of its complete cooperation in the investigations of this ghastly crime and had offered formation of joint commission headed by the National Security Advisors of the two sides aided by representatives of their respective intelligence apparatus, he said. Gilani while reiterating Pakistan's resolve not to allow its territory for any terrorist activity stated that any such attempts would be thwarted. He also highlighted the fact that he had taken all the political stakeholders on board on this issue by hosting an all parties' conference on December 2, and hence the whole nation stood united against this challenge. Senator McCain commended Pakistan's role and policy against terrorism. He acknowledged Pakistan's great sacrifices as well as Pakistan's mature reaction to Mumbai terrorist attacks. He lauded Pakistan's readiness to cooperate in every possible way with the Indian government to bring the perpetrators of those incidents to justice. He also briefed the Prime Minister on his delegation's meeting with the PML-N leadership and appreciated its positive approach towards that end. McCain assured the Prime Minister that US wanted a committed and solid strategic relationship with Pakistan on long-term basis. He recalled that even during his presidential campaign, he had openly voiced his sentiments against the attempts to violate Pakistan's territory. He expressed hope that the new US administration would also respect the Pakistan's sovereignty. Senator McCain termed the introduction of Presslar Amendment against Pakistan a mistake, which had adversely impacted the cordial relationship between the armed forces of the two countries in the past. He hoped that under the present leadership, the two armed forces would be able to restore their relations and cooperation of 1980s. McCain further said there was bipartisan support for Biden-Lugar Bill in the new US Congress. He undertook to work for its expeditious passage for providing the urgently required assistance to Pakistan. He also assured the Prime Minister of his delegation's support for capacity building of Pakistan's law enforcement agencies to equip them adequately to deal with terrorism. Senators Lieberman and Graham fully endorsed Senator McCain's views and vowed to jointly write a letter to the US Senate leadership, on their return, to take measures for early passage of the Biden-Lugar Bill from the Congress. Minister for Defence Ch Ahmad Mukhtar, Minister for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi and US Ambassador to Pakistan Ms Anne W Patterson were also present during the meeting.