US values its ties with Pakistan: Ilhan Omar

Congresswoman starts Pakistan visit by holding flurry of meetings with top leadership

ISLAMABAD:

US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar emphasised on Wednesday that the US valued its ties with Pakistan as both countries were partners in progress since last seven decades, and assured the Pakistani top leadership that Washington would continue to support Islamabad in various fields.

Leading a US delegation, Omar, a Muslim member of the House of Representative, began a five-day visit to Pakistan, by holding separate meetings with President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and State Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.

Omar also met former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan at his Bani Gala residence. During the meetings, the Pakistan-US relations, Islamophic incidents in different parts of the world and other bilateral matters came under discussion.

Congresswoman Omar stressed that Pakistan and the US had huge potential to improve and strengthen the bilateral relations. She appreciated the role played by Pakistan against Islamophobia, particularly towards the adoption of a resolution on the issue at the United Nations.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz Sharif told the Congresswoman that Pakitan valued its ties with Pakistan sought to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation based on mutual respect, trust and equality.

Appreciating the role of the Congresswoman in the US politics, the prime minister expressed the hope that her visit to Pakistan would further deepen the relationship between the Pakistani and the American peoples and strengthen the discussion between the Pakistan Parliament and the US Congress.

Shehbaz also highlighted that constructive ties between the two countries could help promote peace, security and development in the region. He stressed the need for further enhancing the bilateral cooperation, especially in the areas of trade and investment.

The prime minister highlighted the serious human rights situation in Indian Illegally-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and stressed the importance of peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, so that the region could make full use of its economic potential and promote social development.

Omar also held talks with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar at the Foreign Ministry. On the occasion, she said that the US would continue to support Pakistan, especially in the fields of education, health and women empowerment.

Khar welcomed Omar and her delegation to Pakistan. She reiterated that Pakistan was committed to further strengthening the relations with the United States and advancing bilateral cooperation in various fields of mutual interest.

Khar thanked Omar for speaking out in the favour of the Kashmiri people. She added that Pakistan strongly supported the oppressed Kashmiris people in IIOJK after the unilateral Indian move of August 5, 2019, when India abolished the special status of the disputed region.

Welcoming the Congresswoman Omar at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Alvi expressed the hope that the constructive engagements between Pakistan and the United States would promote peace and development in the region.

He apprised the visiting dignitary about the atrocities being committed by the India’s Narendra Modi regime against the minorities, particularly the Muslims. He said that India was involved in the genocide of Muslims and committed gross human rights violations against them.

President Alvi also highlighted the role played by Pakistan in the promotion of peace in the region as well as its sacrifices against the war on terror. He underlined that IT was the most important sector for investment and the US businessmen could invest in this sector.

US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said that both the countries had huge potential to improve and strengthen the relations. She appreciated the role played by Pakistan against Islamophobia, particularly towards the adoption of UN resolution in this regard.

During her visit to the National Assembly, Omar called on the National Assembly speaker. During the meeting, Ashraf called for enhancing parliament-to-parliament contacts. He also stressed the vast potential of tourism, business and trade, and urged that a soft image of Pakistan should be highlighted.

Ashraf appreciated the struggle and commitment of Omar to ensure fundamental rights of minorities, women and children in USA. He said that both countries were celebrating 75th years of diplomatic relation He also invited the US Congress members to visit parliament of Pakistan.

Omar appreciated warm welcome by Speaker Ashraf on her visit to Pakistan. She said that US highly valued its ties with Pakistan as both countries had been partners in progress since last seven decades. She said that USA would continue to support Pakistan in various fields.

Meanwhile, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar met former prime minister Imran Khan at his Bani Gala residence. According to a tweet by former human rights minister Shireen Mazari, the two discussed Islamophobia and other issues during the meeting.

The US lawmaker "expressed her admiration for Imran Khan and his position on and work against Islamophobia globally," Mazari said. The ousted premier also appreciated Omar's courageous principled stance on issues.

Omar is visiting Pakistan from April 20 to 24, 2022. In addition to her meetings with the top leadership in Islamabad, she would also visit Lahore and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to understand the cultural, social, political and economic potential of Pakistan.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)