This was the only way to ensure an independent and prosperous Iraq in which all segments of society would live in peace and harmony, the Musharraf added during a call on by Zebari.
Zebari, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, conveyed greetings of the Iraqi President and Prime Minister to President Musharraf and informed him that elections in Iraq will be held as per schedule.
Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri was also present during the meeting.
JMC MEETING: Later in a separate meeting foreign ministers of Pakistan and Iraq discussed a wide range of bilateral matters and exchanged views on regional and international issues.
Pakistan and Iraq vowed to strengthen co-operation in trade and economic fields and to hold a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission soon.
Both the Foreign Ministers agreed for the JMC meeting at the earliest in Islamabad.
Kasuri expressed Pakistan's deep concern over the security situation in Iraq and hoped that the situation will soon return to normalcy. He stated that since April 2003, Pakistan has been stressing the need for maintaining the territorial integrity of Iraq and has advocated transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people as soon as possible.
With this objective in mind, Pakistan supported all UN efforts including UNSC Resolution 1546, which aims at return of normalcy in the country. Pakistan supported the steps taken by the UN for holding free and fair elections as per schedule.
Pakistan hoped that this would lead to a democratically elected, pluralistic and broad-based government, which was inclusive of all political and religious groups.
The two foreign ministers were assisted by their respective delegations during their extensive meetings.
The Iraqi Foreign Minister briefed his Pakistani counterpart on the latest developments in Iraq, including the security situation.
He briefed him about the preparations for the upcoming January 2005 elections, reconstruction process and the role of UN in Iraq.
Zebari appreciated Pakistan's positive role and its offer in the reconstruction process in Iraq.
Kasuri assured Zebari about Pakistan's assistance in the reconstruction of Iraq.
He pointed that the agreement on Trade, Economic and Technical Co-operation signed in 1977 accords Most Favoured Nation Status to each other, while the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) provides a framework for co-operation in various fields like agriculture, industries, oil, transport and telecommunications, housing and construction, health, education, science & technology etc.
He hoped the next session of the JMC will be held in the near future at mutually convenient dates for preparing a well thought-out plan of co-operation between the two countries.