US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets PM Imran Khan

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday met with Prime Minister Imran Khan at Pakistan House in Washington D.C, ARY News reported.

During the meeting, matters pertaining to mutual relations came under discussion.

Imran Khan emphasized the importance of close collaboration between Pakistan and the U.S. to advance that objective.

He also spoke about his government’s successes in countering the scourge of terrorism and his initiatives to build peace in the region.

He noted that the Government of Pakistan had taken myriad administrative and legal measures to mainstream madrasahs.

As part of his policy of “peaceful neighbourhood”, the Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan’s desire for peaceful and cooperative relations with all neighbours.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood and Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Dr Asad Majeed were also present during the meeting.

Earlier in the day, PM Imran Khan said that he is surprised at India’s reaction to US President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate between Islamabad and New Delhi to resolve the long-standing Kashmir conflict.

Taking to Twitter a day after meeting the US president at White House, the prime minister said: “Surprised by the reaction of India to Pres Trump’s offer of mediation to bring Pak & India to the dialogue table for resolving Kashmir conflict which has held subcontinent hostage for 70 yrs.”

“Generations of Kashmiris have suffered & are suffering daily and need conflict resolution,” he added.

PM Khan assured President Trump that Pakistan will do everything within its power to facilitate the Afghan peace process.

“The world owes it to the long-suffering Afghan people to bring about peace after 4 decades of conflict,” he added.

The prime minister expressed gratitude to the US president “for his warm and gracious hospitality, his understanding of Pakistan’s point of view and his wonderful way of putting our entire delegation at ease.”

“Appreciate the President taking out time to show us the historic White House private quarters.”

The prime minister also thanked the Pakistani-American community for “showing up in such large numbers at Capital One Arena in DC to show support and welcome me on my first visit to the USA as PM of Pakistan.