Pakistan values relations with US, wants enhanced economic ties: PM Imran

US senators reaffirm commitment to 'stable and broad-based' ties between Washington, Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan underlined on Saturday that Pakistan values its long-standing relationship with the United States and was committed to expanding it in all spheres, particularly in the economic dimension.

The premier reiterated that a deeper and stronger partnership between the two countries was mutually beneficial and critical for the region’s peace, security and prosperity, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

PM Imran shared these views after a four-member delegation of the US Senate, comprising Senators Angus King, Richard Burr, John Cornyn and Benjamin Sasse, called on him in Islamabad. Senator King is also a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee of the US.

A 4-member delegation of the U.S. Senate -- including Senators @SenAngusKing, @SenatorBurr, @JohnCornyn and Benjamin Sasse (@SenSasse) -- called on Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI, today. pic.twitter.com/trYgPz6nlm

— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) December 11, 2021

The premier’s statement has come on the heels of Pakistan’s decision to skip the summit on democracy convened by US President Joe Biden on December 9 and 10, which experts believe could entail serious implications for the already strained relations between the two countries.

Offering rare praise, the opposition parties have welcomed the PTI government’s decision to decline the US’ invitation to its summit, underscoring that Pakistan’s friendship with China cemented unity among the political parties of the country.

Read Islamabad turns to Pakistani American for Biden-Imran call

Warmly welcoming the senators, PM Imran hoped that the visits of Congressional delegations will help strengthen mutual understanding and forge closer people-to-people contacts.

“A deeper and stronger partnership between the two countries was mutually beneficial and critical for the region’s peace, security and prosperity,” he said.

With regard to the evolving situation in Afghanistan, the premier emphasized that Pakistan and the US must have a deeper engagement to promote the shared objectives of peace, stability and economic development.

Imran particularly underscored the urgent need to support the Afghan people by taking all possible measures to prevent a humanitarian crisis and economic collapse in the country.

He also highlighted the importance of closer cooperation to address the security threats in the region, including terrorism.

Apprising the delegation about the continuation of human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), PM Imran underscored that the extremist and exclusionist policies of the RSS-inspired BJP were posing a threat to regional peace and security.

“The US must play its role in the maintenance of peace and stability in the region,” he said, underscoring that, for its part, Pakistan remained ready to pursue measures that would reinforce stability in the region, if the enabling environment was created by India.

Recalling collective struggles of Pakistan and the US over the decades in promoting peace and security globally, the official statement read, “the Senators deeply appreciated Pakistan’s recent contribution in the evacuation of the American nationals and others from Afghanistan post-15 August.”

It said that the senators reaffirmed their commitment to a stable and broad-based Pakistan-US bilateral relationship.

“Given the size of Pakistan’s population as well as its geostrategic location, they emphasised that the US and Pakistan should make determined efforts to promote trade, investment and economic cooperation.”