Pakistan ready to engage with Trump administration: FO

Pakistan has expressed its willingness to engage with the new US administration to strengthen bilateral relations, the Foreign Office said on Thursday.

"We are committed to a strong and robust relationship with the US based on the principle of non-interference in internal affairs," Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said during his weekly news briefing in Islamabad .

Shafqat Ali welcomed President Donald Trump's oath-taking and stressed the importance of US-Pakistan relations, which cover multiple areas. "We look forward to continuing the positive trajectory of these relations," he added.

The spokesperson also highlighted Pakistan's concerns over the presence of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sanctuaries in Afghanistan. "We continue to impress upon the Afghan authorities to address these concerns so that the bilateral relations could achieve its full potential," Khan said.

On the Kashmir dispute, Khan reiterated Pakistan's clear position, citing the world's awareness of the "oppression campaign unleashed in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir". He assured that Pakistan will support any effort directed towards resolving the dispute.

Regarding the Indus Water Treaty, Shafqat Ali stated that Pakistan remains committed to its full implementation, including the dispute settlement mechanism. He expressed hope that India will also implement the treaty in good faith and entirety.

In response to a question, Shafqat Ali Khan mentioned an arrangement with the US to resettle Afghan refugees in the US by September this year. "This arrangement is in place so far," he said.