Both Pakistan, US cannot afford to ignore importance of ties: Khar

US Congressional delegation briefed on the current status and challenges of Pakistan-US relationship.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Tuesday urged a US Congressional delegation that the relationship between Pakistan and the US is important and both sides simply cannot afford to ignore this fact.

"Both sides have shared goals of peace and prosperity in the region, the Foreign Minister said and called for working together to strengthen the relationship based on mutual trust and mutual respect."

She was talking to a US Congressional delegation led by Representative Todd Platts, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee accompanied by Representative Stephen Lynch, Representative Glenn Thompson, Representative Tom Marino and Representative John Fleming who called on her at the Foreign Office.

The US Congressional delegation was briefed on the current status and challenges of Pakistan-US relationship. Foreign Minister Khar conveyed to the US Parliamentarians the sense of the Parliament regarding the Salala incident and recommendations of the Parliament for re-engagement with the US side.

She also informed the US Congressmen about the regional situation. The Congressional delegation agreed on the need to overcome the current stress and work for building a holistic relationship taking into account shared interests. They also agreed that steps should be taken to boost public confidence on both sides.