ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has dispatched his key foreign policy aide to Washington as part of Pakistan’s efforts to reset ties with the United States under the Trump administration.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Sayed Tariq Fatami is in the US capital and held a series of meetings with the Trump administration’s officials and influential Congressmen in order to open a sustained channel of communication with the new administration.
Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan on Thursday confirmed to reporters at his weekly news briefing that the visit of Fatami was the official one.
Sources said the government decided to send Fatami to Washington in order to get sense of the ground situation with regards to Trump’s priorities.
Islamabad was buoyed by the fact that President Donald Trump praised Islamabad in helping the US capture one of the key facilitators of the August 2021 Kabul Airport attack.
A statement issued by the Pakistani embassy in Washington said Fatami, a former diplomat, held a series of meetings with the Trump administration officials.
According to a statement issued by the embassy of Pakistan in Washington, DC, the special assistant met with Senior Bureau Official/Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Lisa Kenna and Senior Director for South and Central Asia National Security Council Ricky Gill. He also met with Ranking Member Congressman Gregory Meeks, Chair, Sub-Committee on South and Central Asia, House Foreign Affairs Committee Congressman Bill Huizenga and Senator Jim Banks.
The statement said discussions were held on ways to promote the Pak-US bilateral relations, especially cooperation in the fields of trade, and investment. In addition, regional situation and international issues were also discussed.
During his meetings with the American leaders, the Special Assistant highlighted the economic priorities of the Government of Pakistan. He said that the efforts of the government have resulted into a clear improvement of economic indicators. He said that the recognition of the improvement of economic indicators by the IMF and the World Bank is proof that the economy was moving in the right direction.
The special assistant said that trade and investment were among the top priorities in Pak-US relations. He said that there exists immense potential for promoting trade and economic relations between the two countries, which will not only benefit the businesses of both countries but will also, have a positive impact on the economy of the region.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said the special assistant briefed the US leadership on government policies, especially the economic priorities. He explained that promoting bilateral relations, especially in the areas of trade, economy and investment, was among the top priorities of the government. Regional and international issues were also discussed during this meeting.
Regarding the introduction of a bill in the US Congress seeking sanctions on Pakistan, the spokesperson said Pakistan was aware of the bill being tabled in the House of Representatives. “This is an initiative of a single individual legislator. We believe that the timing and context of the bill does not align well with the current positive dynamics of Pakistan-US bilateral relations based on mutual respect, understanding and non-interference in each other’s affairs,” Shafqat noted.
He said the bill will have to go through several committees in the House of Representatives and Senate before passing. “We hope that the US Congress will continue its supportive role in strengthening Pakistan-US ties and focus on avenues of mutual collaboration that benefit both our peoples and countries.
Pakistan remains committed to constitutionalism, rule of law, protection of human rights and freedom of expression, because it considers democracy as a vehicle for prosperity and progress as a nation. As I mentioned earlier, this is an individual legislator’s initiative. This is not the position of the US government.”
The spokesperson also welcomed the recent assessment of the US intelligence community, declaring the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as a major threat.
On the recent visit of Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan to Kabul, the spokesperson said all issues were flagged during his meetings with Taliban leadership but he would not explicitly mention the TTP.
