ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said relations between Pakistan and the United States should not be seen in context of Afghanistan.
“Any kind of development in Afghanistan is not possible without Pakistan,” he said while addressing a news conference in Washington.
This should be noted that few days ago a high-level delegation of the Afghan government called on the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Chief Maulana Sami ul Haq at Akora Khattak seeking assistance in paving way and arranging peace talks with the Afghan Taliban.
FM Qureshi said the relations between Pakistan and the US had witnessed a significant headway under the incumbent government.
Read More: Sami ul Haq excuses himself from arbitrating between Afghan govt, Taliban
He said bilateral engagements between Pakistan and America had also enhanced and improved.
“There has been a positive change in Pak-US ties after the recent US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to Pakistan,” he said.
The foreign minister said he held various meetings with the world leaders, think-tanks and overseas Pakistanis during his visit to the USA and he effectively presented Pakistan’s stance on host of issues.
To a query, he said no meeting was scheduled between him and the International Monitory Fund during his visit. However, he said, he apprised the World Bank leaders about Pakistan’s stance on prevailing water crisis in the country.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi also invited members of the US Congress to visit Pakistan.
Earlier on Wednesday, Qureshi said that Pakistan wanted a peaceful Afghanistan for regional stability and development.
He said that Pakistan had great concerns over the terrorists’ hideouts in Afghanistan which were being used to attack on Pakistan.
The FM said Pakistan had rendered unprecedented sacrifices in war on terror and the International Community should acknowledge Pakistan efforts in this regard.
He repeated his stance that Pakistan wants relations with United States based on mutual interest and respect.
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