Washington (October 04, 2018): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that he effectively presented Pakistan’s point of view during his visit to the US and added that the relations between Pakistan and the US witnessed a significant headway under the prevailing government.
While addressing a news conference in Washington, Qureshi said bilateral engagements between Pakistan and the United States have also enhanced and improved.
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He added that there has been a positive change in Pak-US ties after the recent US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to Pakistan.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pak-US ties should not be seen in the context of Afghanistan. He said any kind of development in Afghanistan is not possible sans Pakistan.
The Foreign Minister said he held various meetings with the world leaders, think-tanks and overseas Pakistanis during his visit to the United States and he effectively presented Pakistan’s stance on the host of issues.
Replying to a question, the Foreign Minister said no meeting was scheduled between him and the International Monitory Fund during his visit. However, he said he apprised the World Bank leaders about Pakistan’s stance on the prevailing water crisis in the country. Shah Mahmood Qureshi also invited members of the US Congress to visit Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi left for Pakistan after concluding the successful 10-day US trip.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that Pakistan wanted stability in South Asia and a developed and peaceful Afghanistan was very imperative for peace in Pakistan and in the region as well.
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While addressing in US Institute of Peace in Washington, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan has great concerns over the terrorists’ hideouts in Afghanistan which are being used to attack on Pakistan.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan has rendered unprecedented sacrifices in war on terror and the International Community should acknowledge Pakistan efforts in this regard.
The foreign minister said Pakistan wants relations with United States based on mutual interest and respect.
Qureshi reiterated that Islamabad should not be blamed for the difficulties in Afghanistan. The foreign minister suggested that both countries should look forward towards the positives. “Our common goal is peace,” he added. Qureshi further said that 2.7 million Afghan refugees reside in Pakistan.
The foreign minister said that baseless allegations would further cause negative impacts on the bilateral ties, suggesting that both countries have no option but to trust each other. He said, “We are determined for the complete eradication of terrorism.”
Speaking at the United States Institute of Peace to share the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s strategy for engaging with the United States, he said Pakistan is willing to bring Taliban to the dialogue table as peace in Afghanistan is linked with peace in Pakistan.
“We can’t be peaceful if there is no peace in Afghanistan. But, we’ll have to have that collective approach to resolve the issue … It’s a shared responsibility and there are now more players involved,” said the foreign minister, adding that Pakistan’s influence on Taliban has diminished but the country will leave no stone unturned for the resumption of peace talks.
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