ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Monday told an American delegation the importance of having a joint strategy to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan. The point was made by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani while meeting an American delegation led by Thomas R. Nides, the deputy secretary of state for management and resources. According to Associated Press of Pakistan, Gilani also emphasized the importance of strategic partnership between Pakistan and the US and called for early resumption of their strategic dialogue. Pakistan is keen to play a major role as American forces plan to pull out of Afghanistan. Islamabad is said to be seeking veto power over any effort to bring together Kabul and the Taliban. The American delegation also called on President Asif Ali Zardari, who argued that the government and people of Pakistan had made 'unparalleled human and economic sacrifices' to combat terrorism. Nides was accompanied by US ambassador Cameron Munter. The US officials called Pakistan an 'important ally' in the war against terrorism. (IANS)