Pakistan to continue working with US to promote peace: FM

Bilawal says he buys his own ticket, pays for hotel stay

WASHINGTON:

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that Pakistan would continue working with the United States to promote peace and stability in the region.

The foreign minister expressed these views in a meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.

In a tweet, Bilawal mentioned that he had a productive meeting with Sherman, where he appreciated the role of the US in flood relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

"Pakistan and the United States will continue to work together to further enhance and diversify bilateral relations, and promote peace and stability in the region," he said.

In a meeting with Senator Chris Van Hollen, the foreign minister thanked him for his “steadfast support” for Pakistan.

The two sides discussed US Congress' role in strengthening Pak-US cooperation in flood relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Separately, Bilawal said that he was the only foreign minister of Pakistan who bought his own ticket and paid for the hotel bill himself.

Bilawal, while presenting the details of his foreign trips, said that he did not burden the national exchequer with the expenses of his tours, adding that even if he did, it was his prerogative as the foreign minister.

He said that his foreign trips did not benefit him but the people of Pakistan. “Other people may go on foreign trips for holidays but because of my hard work, Pakistan got out of FATF grey list and availed economic benefits,” he said.

Bilawal said that people should look at the G77 reform document, as all the developing countries had demanded that international financial institutions should help the poor nations.

APP with input from agencies