Ambassador Haqqani was addressing a gathering of Pakistani-Aemricans in Portland in Oregon state. He is the first Pakistani top diplomat to visit the Pakistani-American community in the American state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

He stressed that Pakistan's foreign policy objectives were based on the country's national interests and within the present democratic era an active and healthy debate on national interest was taking place.

The democratic institutions in Pakistan are working to secure Pakistan's interests in the country's relations with the international community, he said.  Haqqani spoke in the backdrop of recent tensions in the relationship, starting with Admiral Mike Mullen's assertions days before his retirement last month, when he allged that the Afghan Haqqani militants had Pakistani support in carrying out attacks in Afghanistan.

The White House refused to endorse Mullen's controversial characterizations. Expers say the Pakistan-US relationship is critical to a successful outcome of the decade-old Afghan conflict.

A strong bilateral relationship would be in the best interests of the two countries and their peoples, the ambassador told the gathering.

Praising the achievements of Pakistan-American community of the United States, he called upon them to play a more constructive role by embracing the American mainstream and thereby help their country of origin in gearing towards democratic dispensation.

In his interaction, the Pakistani diplomat spoke about Islamabad's efforts towards socio-economic development of the people. He said despite resource constraints, the government is striving to grapple with devastation caused by massive floods in Sindh and parts of Balochistan.

He applauded the Pakistani diaspora and urged them to assist the country with their generous contributions in dealing with the flooding catastrophe, that has displaced millions and destroyed infrastructure and vital cotton crop over huge swathes of agricultural land.

Ambassador Haqqani also drew attention of the hardworking Pakistani- American community to the importance of their participation in mainstream American politics through association with local political and public causes.

He particularly highlighted the need for Pakistani-Americans to be articulate and for the younger generation to avail tremendous opportunities in think-tanks, research institutions, print and electronic media. A vibrant Pakistani-American community would serve interests of both countries, he noted.

The Ambassador also assured the Pakistani community of better consular services by the Pakistani embassy.

Dr Tanveer Bokhari, a community leader, welcomed the Ambassador on behealf of the Pakistani-Americans living in Portland.