FM Bilawal to visit US on May 17

Will hold meetings with Blinken, senior US leadership

ISLAMABAD:

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will depart for his maiden trip to the United States as federal minister on May 17.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar confirmed the development on Thursday during the weekly press briefing. He said FM Bilawal will meet Secretary of State Tony Blinken on May 18 apart from holding important meetings with the senior US leadership.

Responding to a question, the spokesperson said an important meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) counter-terrorism experts would be held on May 15 in New Delhi hosted by India, which would be attended by a delegation of senior FO officials and experts.

Iftikhar added that Pakistan wanted a meaningful dialogue with India.

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The FO spokesperson once again called on the new Afghan government to not allow its territory to be used against Pakistan, to take non-discriminatory action against all terrorist groups, including the TTP.

He concluded that Pakistan seeks friendship with all the neighboring countries including India but it is now the responsibility of New Delhi to create an environment conducive to fruitful dialogue.

Last month, at a time when there are multiple challenges being faced on the external front, the country was bestowed with the youngest foreign minister who finally took oath as a federal minister for the first time.

The 33-year-old followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, Zulifkar Ali Bhutto, who became the foreign minister at the age of 35. He was administered the oath by President Arif Alvi while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and other members of the coalition government were in attendance.