While The State Department has said the United States wants to restore a `full counter-terrorism relationship` with Pakistan.

In a related development, the US Department of Defence described its ties with Pakistan as `an essential relationship` with an `important partner` and expressed the hope that Islamabad would soon reopen the ground supply routes for Nato troops in Afghanistan.

According to diplomatic sources, Ms Rehman is expected to arrive in Washington on Jan 9 and hopes to present her credential to President Obama on Jan 17.

Sherry Rehman also called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani the previous day.

Prime Minister Gilani reposed his full confidence in her and added that she would prove herself worthy of the challenging assignment.