US and Pakistani officials played it safe during US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to the country
LAHORE: Contrary to the expectations, both the US and Pakistani officials played it safe during US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to the country. The toned-down statements particularly from the US officials are indicative of the well-intended working relationship they want to have with Pakistan in the near future. Although it is important that actions, and not just the rhetoric, reflect the same from both sides. That is, the US reimburses the held-over fund and acknowledges Pakistan’s pivotal role in the region.
The visit is likely to set the future course for the relationship between the two countries as during the past year President Trump’s demand to ‘do more’ irked the government in Pakistan that was accused of not doing enough.
Shafaq Aleem
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2018.
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