FM Qureshi, US state secretary discuss bilateral relations

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday held a meeting with the United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington and discussed bilateral relations.

Overall situation of South Asia including Afghanistan also came under discussion during the meeting.

Earlier, the foreign minister also held a meeting with National Security Advisor of the US in Washington.

Pakistan-US relations and overall situation of South Asia was also discussed in the meeting.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi will also speak at the US Institute of Peace on the subject of ‘Pakistan’s New Government Change or Continuity in Foreign Policy’ on Wednesday.

The minister is also scheduled to hold meetings with members of US Congress.

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Alice Wells, US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary last week said that the US was looking forward to work closely with the new Pakistani government.

Ms. Wells stressed upon the fact that Pakistan was an important country in the region and it had a critical role to play.

She reiterated that the US administration wanted to forge constructive and positive relation with the South Asian giant.

Recounting the visit of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Pakistan after Premier Imran Khan assumed the responsibility of a chief executive of the state, she said that the talks between two sides were encouraging.

“Border management between Pakistan and Afghanistan is highly essential,” adding that economic ties needed to be restored between the two neighbouring countries which would open routes for trade to central Asian markets.