US reaches out to Pakistan to foster diplomatic ties: sources

Significant headway made in PM Abbasi, Mike Pence meeting

KARACHI: The United States has taken steps to restore diplomatic ties with Pakistan as an overture to dissipate ongoing tensions.

Washington views the ongoing rift as a major stumbling block for its relations with Islamabad and have initiated contact with the federal government in this regard.

The Trump administration told Pakistan via its diplomatic channels that it will continue to hold engage in discourse to foster ties between the two countries. The US will do its best to address the federal government's reservations through a process of dialogue, sources within the federal government said.

Relations between the two are expected to improve through renewed efforts, they added.

According to them, significant headway was made in the meeting between Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and US Vice President Mike Pence in the recent meeting.

The new talks reportedly go by the agenda "Better Pak-US relations".



The acting foreign secretary of US had detailed meetings with top government and military officials to discuss the bilateral relations, support against terrorism as well as the situation in Afghanistan and regional affairs.

"The Trump administration is willing to support Pakistan for ensuring peace in Afghanistan" the sources said, adding that the foreign secretary also told Pakistani authorities to play active role in promoting peace within Afghanistan.

Pakistan has expressed its willingness to engage in dialogue with the Afghan government led by President Ashraf Ghani.

"Pakistan has intimated that it wants good relations with the Trump administration," the sources said, adding, "However, all diplomatic channels will orchestrate a policy of fair dealing and equality."